Michael George Vierstra

A Celebration of Michael George Vierstra's life will be held on Oct. 29, 2015 at 1 p.m. at the Twin Falls Reformed Church, 1631 Grandview Dr. N., Twin Falls, ID Michael went to be with the Lord Oct 13, 2015, in Rosenheim, Germany,after living life to the fullest. He had a deep love for The Lord, his wife, his children and his sisters. He enjoyed life on the dairy, his children, date nights and spending every moment he could with his young wife, Angie, until the day he died. Michael was born May 5, 1958 in Bellflower, CA to Norman and Cornelia (VanderVegt)Vierstra. He was the third child, and only son when he joined his older sisters Helen and Henri. At the age of two his family moved to Chino, CA, where his parents started in dairy business. There he was joined by his younger sisters Gertie, Marlene and Cheryl. In Chino, Michael met the Musser boys and forged a lifelong friendship with Tom Musser. He joined Michael in many adventures, playing in the'trees', making forts in the corn field and riding bikes down the lane to see the pigs. In 1971 his family moved to Buhl, ID and for a few months had a dairy in the Deep Creek area. His parents had a few families stay with them as they started their own dairies. It was during that time that Michael and Ken Vierstra, as well as being cousins, became close friends, and remain close to this day. In May of that year, he helped his dad build the dairy on the home place. When he milked the cows,being so tall, he rested his head on the cows as he attached the machines. When dad went to milk them, he complained that he couldn't even milk his own cows because he wasn't tall enough to rest his head on them, so they kicked him. After graduation, Michael went out on his own and started the dairy west of Buhl. He moved to Twin and eventually built the dairy that he lived on until his passing. Michael married Susan, and gained two children Krista and Jeremy. They were soon followed by Cassie, Katie, Jesse, and Cara. During their childhood, Michael rarely missed a sporting event or a rodeo the kids were involved in. You could always see him standing in the same spot,a head above everyone around him, at every rodeo and game, with the biggest smile on his face when the kids rode and played. He was a very proud dad, and had unconditional love for his kids. He loved to tell stories about the cute things his kids did and said. And they had some good stories about him, too! Cassie had a horse named Buddy and Michael was going to show her how to be a cowboy. Buddy was on the lawn grazing and without warning Mike decided to jump on him bareback. He spooked the horse and as quick as he went on one side, he went off the other. She always used to tease him that she didn't get her horsemanship skills from him. Cara went with Michael to Texas to take Katie hay and Michael got on Jeter and Jeter took off and Michael about fell off. He didn't ride much,he was more of a cowman, but when he did he needed a Clydesdale! He told us about Katie, about 3, standing next to him in the pickup,seeing a lady in the window of a house they passed, and she said "Is she making dinner?" Mike said "yep, probably". She looked him in the eyes and said "I'm hungry daddy, can we stop there for dinner?". Mike being ever the entrepreneur, was so tickled that Jesse and Joey Christensen went to town, bought a 6 pack of soda, and came back to the dairy and sold them to the hired men for a buck a piece. Krista remembers their favorite game was hide-n-seek. They would play for hours and Micheal would always find Cassie first, because, in Krista's words, she was a loud breather! Once Jeremys foot was hurt when Mike was dumping them into the cottonseed, that was one of their favorite things to do. Always one to cry wolf, he limped for three days before Mike and Susan realized Jeremy had actually broken his foot. Jeremy loved Mike, he admired him, looked up to him, respected him and thought of him as a father. Michael later married Evangeline 'Angie', and gained another daughter SeanDunn, soon after to be joined by his little Andi. Michael loved to tell the story of how SeanDunn was driving the van and when she backed out she hit the garage and tore the headlight off. She walked into Michaels office, her eyes great big, headlight in her hand and said "Let me explain!" Andi was his latest addition. The joy that child brought to his life was immeasurable. He would wink at her, and she him, in their secret language that was just for them. Oh, how she could make him smile. He loved her little lisp, "Daddy I wiw wub youw wegs" when she saw they were hurting. When she grabbed her guitar and played and sang him "Mockingbird", his heart melted and his face could barely contain the smile and love he felt for her. During his life with Angie, Michael was truly happy. To quote a friend they met in Germany, "It was apparent Michael loved Angie. They were the definition of true love. The things they did for one another and the sacrifices they made for each other, as well as the glow on their faces, told you instantly that they were very much in love." Angie was his world, and he hers. He loved to make her laugh and it was one of the things that made him fall in love with her. He knew he was blessed to find her. And she him. He wanted her with him as much as possible, whether it be a short trip the the parts store,the grocery store or the bank. Their trips to Germany were a gift to them. Along with his treatment they had many, many hours to enjoy just being together. They may have had only six and a half years together, but they lived a lifetime in those six and a half years. Family was the most important thing to Michael. There was an undeniable light in his eyes when he spoke of the ones he loved. He adored his kids, each and everyone of them. Some were not born to him, but he always said there are no steps in my family. When you were in,you were all in. His love for all of them never wavered. One of his favorite things to do at weddings was, when the song "We Are Family" came on, he would call all of his sisters to the floor to dance with him and sing 'I got all my sisters with me'! There are friends who were also like family to him. Michael had a deep bond with Jim Wiersma. He was more of a brother than a friend to Michael. They talked nearly every day for over 20 years and they had a mutual respect that sustained through all life's challenges and blessings. Thank you, Jim, for the love you showed him all these years. John Gomez, thank you for your friendship and council. You were a good friend to Mike and he spoke highly of you. John DeKiewiet and Ed Cabrera, words can not express the thanks for all the dedication and hard work you put in so Michael and Angie could go to Germany without worry. Knowing you were here taking care of things was the greatest blessing. Thank you! Michael loved having his nephews work for him. Craig and Chris remember how the loader came barreling down the lane, hopping up and down towards them, and they just knew they did something wrong. And Craig still points out that he helped Uncle Mike plant the trees along the road. Michael was so proud of Joey and all the progress he has made at the dairy in the last year. And he was especially proud of how Jack stepped up, as young as he is, and worked like a grown man. Michael really loved kids. Everyone's kids, he just loved them. There are many, many of you out there who have met the tickle monster. It was his trademark. Some enjoyed every minute of the tickles, others ran, but we all knew him. Michael lived life simply. He was never one to keep up appearances. What you thought of him was not his business. His love for The Lord, having a good woman by his side that loved him, having the love and respect of his children and extended family was all that he ever wanted and needed. His faith grew by leaps and bounds over the last few years. He knew this home was temporary and he knew where he was going. As much as we will miss him, it is comforting to know he will be waiting for us someday, with open arms, a big smile on his face, and a tickle or two... Michael is survived by his wife, Angie. His children Krista (Perry)Shank, Jeremy, Cassie (Tyler) Christensen, Katie, Jesse, Cara,SeanDunn and his little Andi. His stepdad Jack Dekiewiet. His in-laws,Bill and Pat Perry. His sisters Helen (John) Werner, Henri (Doug)Goff, Gertie (David) Heck, Marlene (Robin) Quigley, Cheryl Vierstra,Carla (Ric) Gailey, Diana (Wayne) Creech. His brothers Jerry (Linda)DeKiewiet and John (Denise) DeKiewiet. And his grandchildren McKynlee,Brydan, Brooklyn, Adalynn and River. Soon to be joined by a daughter of Cassie and Tyler. His nephews and nieces, Chris Olsen, Lisa Rodrigues, Craig(Reesa) Goff, Corby Goff, Casey (Cara) Goff, Tyler(Shawna) Tvrdy, Ryan(Kimberlee) Christensen, Joey Christensen, Nathan (Heidi) Heck, Noah (Heidi) Heck, Erin (Josh) Douville, Carah Quigley, Alec and Ayden Withers, Asher Vierstra, Kellie (Matthew)Inglese, Jamie (Rich) Hofman,Leslie Ann (Darin)DeVelder, Josh(Kimberly)Gailey, Jason (Beatrice) Gailey, Zachary (Melodee) Creech, Matthew Creech, Jesse Creech, Brandon, Jack and Emma DeKiewiet. Along with numerous great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Norman Vierstra and his mother, Cornelia VanderVegt Vierstra DeKiewiet. Mister, Michael, Mike, Carmichael, Meho, Buddy L, Bud, Uncle Mike,Dad, you will be missed...