Wilma Dorothy Vander Baan

Wilma D. (Van Gorp) Vander Baan, 97, died on December 2, 2014, in Fort Wayne. She was born on July 8, 1917, in Oskaloosa, Iowa, and moved to Whitinsville, Massachusetts in 1937, before relocating to Fort Wayne in 2000. She held degrees from Clark University and Worcester State College, and taught music at Whitinsville Christian School and in the public schools of Ashland and Uxbridge, Massachusetts. She was an accomplished pianist and organist, earning the American Guild of Organists Service Playing and Colleague Certificates, and serving several churches as organist. In Fort Wayne she worked with the Study Connection and the choir at Haley School and regularly accompanied services at Georgetowne Place Retirement Community. She was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Surviving are daughters Susan Vander Baan and Barbara Resch (Richard); grandchildren Col. Jonathan Van Noord USAF (Sophia), Matthew Resch (Brenda) and Allison Breininger (Sean); great grandchildren 2nd Lt. Jonathan Van Noord II USAF (Alicia), Stephanie Van Noord, Owen Resch, Cooper Resch, and Maya Breininger. She was predeceased by her parents, six siblings, and her husband of 70 years, Richard Vander Baan. Funeral services at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 1126 Barr St., Fort Wayne, on Friday, Dec. 5 at 3:00 p.m., with calling at the church one hour before the service. Burial will be on Dec. 10 in Whitinsville, Massachusetts. Preferred memorials to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.