Vanderwerff_Kenneth_”Jake”25 October 1931 FARR WEST Jake “Baba” Jacob Vanderwerff, 78, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends April 22, after a courageous battle with cancer.
In life, he gave us all our share of tough love, in death he showed us how tough he really was.
Our Baba was born Oct. 25, 1931 in Salt Lake City, the only child of May Reeves and Jacob Dewey Vanderwerff. Jake was married to Mildred Cragun of Pleasant View who preceded him in death. He then met his soul mate, Janetta Gardiner of Farr West.
He was a graduate from Ogden High School and Weber College where he studied heating, air conditioning and electronics. He served in World War 11 in the U.S. Navy as an aviation ordinance man third class. He was discharged in November, 1954.
He then worked as a private contractor on the Minute Man missile at Thiokol Corp. He also worked as a plumbing contractor. He was a member of the American Legion.
He was fortunate to be adopted into two families through his two marriages. He enjoyed his many associations with the many family members who accepted him as their own.
His children included the late William Francis, Sr. of Farr West; Betty (Ovid) Francis Jeppson of Tucson, Arizona; Michael (Colleen) Hunsaker of Fromberg, Montana; Patrick Hunsaker of Malad, Idaho; Desiree (Jeff) Stokes of Liberty; and the late William Hunsaker of Malad, Idaho.