Cover photo for T. Glenn "'Van'" Vanosdall's Obituary
T. Glenn "'Van'" Vanosdall Profile Photo
1921 T. Glenn 2015

T. Glenn "'Van'" Vanosdall

October 31, 1921 — December 5, 2015

Theodore Glenn Vanosdall, 94, of Grand Island, went to be in the arms of His Saviour December 5, 2015. Glenn was the third child born to Theo and Bertha (Gillham) Vanosdall on October 31, 1921 in Greeley County in Nebraska.

Services will be at10:30 AM Wednesday, December 9, 2015, at Messiah Lutheran Church, 7th and Locust Streets in Grand Island, Nebraska. The Rev. William Schroeder will officiate. A luncheon will immediately follow the service. A private interment, for immediate family will be in Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery.

Visitation will be Tuesday, December 8, 2015, from 2 to 7 pm, with family receiving visitors from 4-7pm at Apfel Funeral Home, 1123 West Second St. Grand Island, Nebraska. Visitation will continue Wednesday at 9 AM at church prior to the service.

Glenn spent his childhood in and around the Greeley area, graduating from Scotia High School in 1940. Glenn enlisted in the U.S. Army on May 4, 1942, where he served 33 months in the South Pacific as an engine mechanic on a boat that took supplies and soldiers to the shores of the South Pacific to fight the Japanese. He was honorably discharged on November 11, 1945.

He came back to Nebraska and worked as a mechanic and moved to Milford, Nebraska in January of 1946, to attend trade school.

He met the "catch of his life", Betty Horst through a blind date with this brother, Dave. On October 6, 1946 Glenn and Betty married. After his graduation from trade school, they returned to Grand Island to establish Van's Electric, which he operated for approximately 50 years. Glenn and Betty worked very hard, as a team, along with raising 2 children Dennis and Julie.

Glenn is survived by his wife Betty of 69 years; son Dennis (Ann) Vanosdall of Las Vegas, Nevada; Julie (John) Doescher of Grand Island, Nebraska; grandchildren Shawn Vanosdall, Scott (Marcy) Vanosdall, Robbie (Ally) Vanosdall and Holly (Dave) Bohn; seven great-grandchildren; his brother Wayne Vanosdall of Grand Island, Nebraska; and numerous other relatives.

Glenn was preceded in death by his parents; brothers John, Leroy, David, Edward; sisters Marie Lassen, Leah McKercher and Pattye Christensen; and grandson Ted Vanosdall.

Glenn lived his faith everyday setting a wonderful example for his family, his church, his business associates and the community.

Glenn was active in the Gideon organization for over 47 years, attending 17 International Conventions throughout the United States. He distributed Bibles to students, motels, hotels, hospitals locally and in the Philippines. He loved his Lord and he was a wonderful witness through his service.

Memorials are suggested to The Gideons and Messiah Lutheran Church.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of T. Glenn "'Van'" Vanosdall, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

2:00 - 7:00 pm (Central time)

Apfel Funeral Home - Grand Island

1123 West 2nd Street, Grand Island, NE 68801

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

funeral services

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Starts at 10:30 am (Central time)

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

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