Alfred 'Al' Vanerstrom

Alfred "Al" Rodman Vanerstrom, 63, longtime resident and business owner, passed away in his home in Moses Lake surrounded by his family on April 9, 2008. He was born in Chehalis, Wash., on Sept. 11, 1944.

Al grew up in Chehalis, Wash., and graduated from W.F. West High School in Chehalis in 1962. Upon graduation he enlisted in the United States Navy where he fought valiantly in the Vietnam War aboard the Oriskany in the South Pacific. He received decoration of the Vietnam Service Medal upon his honorable discharge.

While serving in the Navy, he met the love of his life, Reva. Al and Reva were married on Oct. 24, 1967, in Puyallup, Wash., and were married 40 years. The couple resided in Puyallup where Al worked for Boeing building the 737 jets for a few years. During this time his daughter, Karlene was born in Auburn, Wash., on March 13, 1970. Shortly after, the family moved to Eugene, Ore., where his son, Justin, was born July 28, 1972. Among many of the adventures Al was a part of, he traveled with the Assembly of God missionary group to Guatemala to help rebuild the churches and schools after the devastation of an earthquake. While living in Oregon and many years to come, Al's favorite activities were being in the woods of Oregon, hunting, fishing and chopping wood. Some of his talents included the customization of many hotrods, including painting and fabricating chop tops of his trucks, as well as racing them whenever he could. In the early 1980s, the family moved to Moses Lake where they made their home. Within a few years, he started up his business, Al's Glass Service, that continues in his name by his loving family. Al was very well known in the community for his compassion for others as well as his honest business practices and will be missed by many.

Al is survived by his spouse, Reva; his daughter and her husband Karlene and Andy Martinez; his son and his wife, Justin and Jamie Vanerstrom; as well as his grandchildren, Brigidd Martinez; Nicole Martinez; Chase Vanerstrom; and Brice Vanerstrom. The mother he knew, Jean Jennings, precedes him in death.

A ceremony to celebrate his life will be held at the Assembly of God Church in Moses Lake on Thursday, April 17, 2008, at 11 a.m. Memorial services with military honors will be in care of Kayser's Chapel of Memories with Pastor Mark Bassett officiating.

You may sign the guestbook or leave a note for the family at www.kayserschapel.com.