Mount Vernon, WA --- Andrew "Andy" Vander Meulen, age 84, died Tuesday, May 2, 2017.

He passed away peacefully at Skagit Valley Hospital.

Andy is survived by his wife, Lois; his five daughters, Shari (Jim) Hudson, Debi Vander Meulen, Linda (Dick) Gudmunson, Kim (Stacey) LeMaster, and Karrie Armstrong; four step-children, Susan (Patrick) Sear, Scott (Karol) Tiemersma, Joan (Sid) Enockson, and Jan (Terry) Robertson; eight grandchildren, Daniel (Jennifer) Gudmunson, Brittny Gudmunson, Chad Gudmunson, Janna Vander Meulen, Remy Hudson, Travis Hudson, Kendall LeMaster and Hailey LeMaster; five step-grandchildren, Ashley Geleynse, Brady Geleynse, Lucas Van Holland, Ethan Van Holland and Lindsay Sear; four great-grandchildren, Chase, Zane, Lance and Quinn Gudmunson; three brothers, Henry (Kathy) Vander Meulen, Swietze (Cheri) Vander Meulen and Ted (Deloris) Vander Meulen; four sisters, Bertha (Lawrence) Silvis, Gertrude Stuit, Betty (John) Hoksbergen and Edna (Bob) Vander Hoek; one sister-in-law, Sandra (Glen) Scalf, one brother-in-law, Mel Yonkman and numerous nieces and nephews. Andy was preceded in death by his son, Ronald, his first wife, Janice (Groen) Vander Meulen, one brother, Peter Vander Meulen, and one sister, Alyce Yonkman, and two brother-in-laws, Richard Groen and Wilbur Stuit.

Andy was born on November 14, 1932 in Loma Linda, CA. He was the second of ten children born to Ralph and Etta (Keuning) Vander Meulen. In 1948, the family moved to Sumas, WA., where Andy spent the next two years helping his father start up a dairy farm. He fondly recalled the first time he met some of his community neighbors, the Groen's and DeVries'. Hooting and hollering and having a grand time in an adjoining pasture, they were trying to see whose tractor could make it all the way through a big mud hole. Later, Andy was proud to become a part of this fun loving clan when he married Janice Groen on September 8,1953. Soon after, he was drafted into the Army and served in Korea in radar communications. Following his military service, Andy bought his own farm in Sumas, where he and Janice raised their six children, enriching their lives by demonstrating the excellence of hard work, a love for music, loyalty to family and friends and, above all else, an enduring faith in God.

Besides his farming, Andy was also part of an entrepreneurial group of farmers that started North Star, a company that marketed fluid milk to Alaska and was also a partner in Krazy Kow, which operated drive-through dairy stores in Seattle. In 1978, Andy and Janice sold their farm and moved to Mount Vernon, WA. where he managed the WIMPCO Milk Co-Op and the Washington Cheese Company. In 1986, he moved on to become the manager for NWI Co-Op until his full retirement in 2016. Andy was passionate about the dairy industry and the innovative advancements in milk component pricing and marketing. His profound understanding of the industry elevated him to a position of high influence and esteem amongst his peers, being asked twice to testify about the Federal Milk Order before a Congressional committee. A fellow dairyman summed up Andy best when he stated, "He could see through cement walls. He could see around corners. He knew what was coming in our industry long before the rest of us. He was a visionary."

After the loss of his wife, Janice, in 1988, Andy was blessed a second time with the love of a good woman when he married Lois (Jongsma) Tiemersma, on September 16, 1989. They spent 27 wonderful years together traveling, enjoying Lois' music, time spent with family, and developing a deep appreciation for their Christ the King home fellowship group.

Family and friends alike will always remember Andy's story telling. Stories woven with struggle, striving, wit and a few of his famous "Andy-isms". Stories about his childhood, military undertakings, business ventures, marriage, raising children and times spent with family and friends. His stories not only brought laughter, they also inspired us as we caught a glimpse of how God shaped this brilliant and determined man on his journey of faith.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, May 19,

at Christ the King, Mount Vernon.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mount Vernon Christian School or

Pinehaven Christian Ranch.