Lewis Franklin Vandenburg

grandfather, and friend, passed away March 22, 2014. A long-time resident of

Spokane , WA, he ha d recently move d to 31311 E. Steelhead Drive in Arlington,WA.

Lou wa s born in Nevada , Missouri to Charles and Ann Root on September 3,

1942. He graduate d from Rog rs High School, and we nt directly into the Marines . He

graduated from Camp Pendleton, CA USMC M Company 2nd Battalion infantry in 1961.

He served one tour in VietNam. He finished his time with the USMC, and then spent

the majority of his life working a s a certified welder. Lou then worked as a Corrections

Officer at Airway Heights Corrections Center in Airway Heights, WA for 15 years prior to

his retirement in 2011. He was involved in the NRA and the VFW.

Lou married JuDee Sue Vandenburg in 1978 and they had just celebrated their

36th wedding anniversary on February 4, 2014. They lived in Spokane for 33 years

before retiring to Arlington, WA to live next door to son, Shane MichaelRuthven,

daughter-in-law Ka tie Ruthven, and grandchildren Hunter and Wyatt Ruthven. They

were all victims of the Oso, WA Mudslide.

Lou Vandenburg was preceded in death by his pa rents,Charles and Ann Root;

his aunt and uncle, Ruth and John Umberger, and his niece, Carrie Love.

Lou is survived by his children,Darron Bowerman, daughter-in-law, Kate

Bowerman, and Amy Ruthven-Thompson; and his grandchildren Samuel Thompson,

Colleen Bowerman, and Hanna h Bowerman; his sister and brother-in-law, Sandy and

Bill Alderson; his nephews and nieces , Dan and Phi lBower, Michelle Bischoff and

Jason Alderson; his sister, Connie Love; and his niece Kelly Watson; and biological

Children, Scott Arran and Laurie Compton.

His hobbies included guns, cars, yard work, and spending time with his family.

A reception will be held at a later day for family and friends .

Arrangements under the direction of Weller Funeral Home, Arlington, WA.