Kenneth A. Vande Linde

September 30, 1937 - April 10, 2019

Kenneth Adam Vande Linde, 81, a resident of North Fort Myers, FL since 2014, formerly of Overland Park, KS, passed away Wednesday, April 10, 2019 in North Fort Myers. He was born September 30, 1937 in Fayette County, West Virginia to John Adam Vande Linde and Elizabeth Martha Hill now deceased.

Kenneth was a veteran of the United States Airforce. He was part of and received a plaque for Best Crew Operation Powerhouse Thule Task Force December 1956. He left the Airforce as an E-4 Senior Airman. On leaving the Airforce, Ken worked at Westvaco Corrugated Box Factory as a printer, slotter, feeder and setup. He left there and went to work for E.R. Squibb & Sons in their warehouse as group leader. He next went to work in the pressroom of the Kansas City Star Newspaper where he retired in 1998. He didn’t like staying at home so he started driving the bus or Towncar for a retirement home providing transportation for residents. David Vande Linde said, “The best gift that I received from Dad was that he loved me enough to adopt me. I appreciated that so much and was so happy that I was able to do the same for Tara.”

John’s favorite story was about finances. Ken would tell of getting two Dum Dum suckers and a half sandwich for a nickel and walking up hill both ways to get it. His sons spoke of the values he taught them. You worked for what you got — nothing was free.Ken’s nicknames were “Kink” and “Vando.”Some of his favorite foods were beans, cornbread, fried potatoes, collard greens, buttermilk, and West Virginia Hot Dogs. He loved Fiorella’s Jack Stack restaurant in Overland Park, KS, and Manny’s Mexican Restaurant in Kansas City, MO. One of his favorite snacks was popcorn and a golden delicious apple.

He is survived by his beloved wife of over 25 years, Wanda Vande Linde; Ken was married previously to Margie Vande Linde and Pamela Vande Linde Boyd during which time he was blessed with four children. A daughter, Cindy Lou Vande Linde who preceded him in death and three sons, Kenneth Hugh Vande Linde of St Joseph, MO, John Cedric Vande Linde (Pam) of Overland Park, KS, and David Neil Vande Linde (Susan) of CA; two step children, Steven Dwayne Smith (Connie) Olathe, KS and Miriam Elaine Smith Brown (Kevin) of Lee’s Summit, MO; There were 9 grandchildren: Christopher William Davis (Ashley), Stephen Eugene Davis (Liz), Nickole Anique Vande Linde Tromble, Elissa Koren Vande Linde, Shannel Loren Vande Linde, Amber Nichole Vande Linde, Jacob Andrew Vande Linde, Tara Lauren Vande Linde White (Jordan), and Victoria Summer Vande Linde; 5 step grandchildren: Karley Jo Brown Divan (Brandon), Carson Boyd Brown, Samuel Smith Brown, Morgan Elizabeth Smith, and Mackenzie Nicole Smith; and 9 great grandchildren: Carson Adam Davis, Brennen Cooper Davis, Stevie Lou Davis, Nicholas and Nathanel Tromble, Theodore Skelton, Weston Joseph Vande Linde, Presley Mae Taylor, and Dallas Morgan Call.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 PM on May 24, 2019 at Overland Park Church of the Nazarene, 9030 Lamar, Overland Park, KS 66207.

Memorial Contributions in memory of Kenneth Adam Vande Linde are suggested to The American Diabetes Association, 1511 North Westshore Blvd., Suite 980, Tampa, FL 33607.

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.

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