Vandertie, Adolph

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 5043
• Obituary: 21 Dec 2007; Appleton Post Crescent

Notes:

Obituary:
Adolph Joseph Vandertie, on December 19, 2007, our Dad and Grandpa, age 96, passed from his earthily life to his eternal life. He was born May 26, 1911, at the family farm in Stiles, to the late Charles and Lucy (Rouer) Vandertie. After living a few years in Lena, the family moved to Green Bay in 1919 using a team of horses and large wooden sleigh. On November 16, 1933, he as united in marriage to Adeline Glawe at Grace Lutheran Church and she preceded him in death on July 22, 2003. Adolph was a chaplain in the Odd Fellows Lodge (Canton Bay Verte. Odd Fellows Lodge member). He was a Committee Chairman and on the Eagle Board of the Boy Scouts. Adolph worked 20 years for Kraft Cheese Co. until they relocated to Chicago. He then worked for Vandertie Cold Storage until his retirement. Adolph is best known for his talent in Hobo whittling, which he started at the age of 12 while hanging around hobo's in the hobo jungle. That progressed to a fulltime hobby of turning out thousands of "whimsies" of ball in cage whittlings of great artistic beauty. All of Adolph's work was done with his pocket knife only. He also had a vast collection of tramp art of which many are antiques and many of his own making. Adolph's collection was acquired and donated to the Kohler Art Museum, Sheboygan and the Ashwaubenon Historical Society Museum.
Many years were spent at Art Shows and special gatherings. In Britt, Iowa he and Adeline were dubbed The Grand Duke and Duchess of the Hobo's. The special honor is mentioned in many publications.
He was known as the man to beat in the annual family grudge match croquet games. We rarely did. Many runners in the Bellin Run would hear him holler "Hi Mary" or " You can do it" from his chair at the corner. Adolph would wait to get his hug from several of them. He was also known as "Uncle Hot Lips" by his niece Sue Vandertie, from PA. This title was special to him.
A documentary on Hobo life and Adolph's personal life is being developed by Arketype. Jim Rivett and Shelly Young have taken him to many places that stirred up a wealth of memories.
Adolph is survived by a daughter and three sons: Nancy (Jake) VanVeen of Menasha, Terry (Mary) Vandertie of Green Bay, Rick (Lynn) Vandertie of Christchurch, New Zealand, and David Vandertie of Madison; five grandchildren: Dan (Lori) VanVeen of Springfield, MA; Lynn (Scott) McCain of Milan, MI; Tom (Delores) VanVeen of Waupaca; Valerie (Mike) Gruski, Tracy (Chad) Goltz, all of Green Bay; ten great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild; a sister, Lydia Evans of Green Bay; nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Adeline; grandson, Michael Vandertie on February 6, 2003; brothers: Charles, Ralph, Eli, Donald, and twin brother, Jules; his sisters: Irene Vandertie, Alvina Wolzgazogen, and Margaret Vande Sande.
The family would like to thanks Dad's many friends and neighbors for the countless ways they expressed their care and love for him. His Aurora Hospice nurses and aids, Sarah and Linda, and special neighbors.
A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. MALCORE Funeral Home, Green Bay, assisted the family. Visit malcorefuneralhome.com to send an online condolence to the family.