Roland Van Woerkom

Memorial service for Roland L. Van Woerkom will be at 2:00 p.m., Friday, April 27, 2007 at Westside Baptist Church with Pastor Gary Williams officiating. Military honors will be provided by the American Legion Post #42 of Gillette.Mr. Van Woerkom, age 75, of Gillette, Wyoming died on Tuesday, April 24, 2007 at his home due to a lengthy illness.Roland, also known affectionately by many as "Mike" and "Van" was born on November 17, 1931 in Douglas County, South Dakota the son of Guy and Clara Alice (Ligtenberg) Van Woerkom. He was raised and educated in Armour, South Dakota. Upon his graduation from high school he entered Southern State Teachers College in Springfield, South Dakota. On November 20, 1954 Roland married Sammilee McCrady in Winner, South Dakota. Halfway through college, he entered the United States Navy and was stationed in Guam and Alameda, California. While in college and the Navy, Roland played basketball and was a member of the 12th Naval District Champion team. Upon his honorable discharge in 1956 he returned to college and completed his teaching degree. Roland began teaching and coaching in South Dakota and Nebraska. In 1964 he became the District Executive for Boy Scouts of America and held this position for 10 years. While serving in this capacity, he took all of the troops from the entire district on a 50 mile hike on the Butterfield Trail beginning south of WaKeeney and ending in Wallace, Kansas. In 1974 he moved his family to Gillette, Wyoming working in the area oilfields. In 1980 Roland was forced to retire after an automobile accident. Roland's favorite pastimes were getting together with family, playing cards, particularly, cribbage and pinochle, and watching the History channel on TV. He was a member of the American Legion and the Westside Baptist Church in Gillette. Special thanks go to the Hospice of Campbell County Memorial Hospital, the care and love given to Roland and his family by their organization will not soon be forgotten.Roland is survived by his wife, Sammilee; sons: Max Dale Van Woerkom, and Michael John Van Woerkom and his wife Jessica all of Gillette, Wyoming; daughters: Jacque Dru Schutt of Gillette, Wyoming and Jewel Leann Van Woerkom of Piedmont, South Dakota; daughter-in law; Toni Van Woerkom of Gillette, Wyoming; 18 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.He was preceded in death by his parents, Guy and Clara Alice Van Woerkom - Storm; son, Dana Guy Van Woerkom and brother, Marvin Van Woerkom.Memorials and condolences may be sent in care of Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home, 210 W. 5th Street, Gillette, Wyoming 82716 or via the internet at www.stevensonwilson.com.