VANDENHAAK, Case VandenHaak

He was born on September 30, 1958, to Bill✝ and Christine✝ VandenHaak (nee Visser) in Ridgeville, ON, the eldest of eight children. His earthly journey ended 67 years later on May 29, 2026, when Jesus called him home.

In 1982 he married his friend and confidant, Helen (nee Lodder) settling first in Guelph, Ontario. Not long after they moved to Fonthill, ON, where their eldest child, Candice, was born, then Burlington, ON, where their second child, Ryan was born and then to Vernon, BC, where they welcomed their third and final child, Brittni. After returning to Burlington for a good twelve years, Case and Helen built their current home in Millgrove in 2002-3, just in time for their kids to start bringing home their respective high school sweethearts and marriage partners, Peter, Cassandra, and Eric. Many afternoons of laughter and arguing about politics and such were spent with their adult children on their back deck. Later a sparkle of delight could be seen in his eyes as he welcomed and enjoyed each of his seven grandchildren Ivy, Eden, James, Clover, Canaan, Alvi, and Monty.

Case VandenHaak was fiercely committed to providing for his family throughout his life. He worked in a variety of construction industries involving underground utilities, highway maintenance and deep foundations as a heavy equipment operator. He will be remembered for his dedication to seeing every job well done. “Work smart, not hard” was his motto.

Case was known for his wry sense of humour and quiet ingenuity. He always had a project – be it fixing up a sail boat, building a playhouse for his kids out of “recycled” telephone poles, building a chicken coop or greenhouse out of similarly recycled materials, puttering around in his garage, or cooking (“All good meals start with chopping an onion”). Always a “do-er”, even in retirement Case found ways to be helpful, serving his Grace Valley church family in big and small ways, from doing dishes to keeping the vintage church building in decent repair. Retirement allowed him more adventures – Spring and Fall camping trips in their vintage motorhome to Killbear with Helen, biking in Europe with his siblings, and riding his motorcycle on a solo camping trip around Lake Superior – as well as vicariously in following the adventures of his favourite YouTubers.

He will be missed by his siblings, Cora (Andy) Muis, Jackie (Fred) Lodder, Carolin VandenHaak, John (Lisa) VandenHaak, Will (Pascale) VandenHaak, Diane (Bob) VandenHaak and Chris (Jill) VandenHaak, his in-laws Dad(Andy)✝ and Mom(Jennie) Lodder, Leonard (Ina) Lodder, Henry (Val) Lodder, Art (Shawna) Lodder, Tony (Ninette) Lodder and Fred (Jackie) Lodder, and many nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Facing his glioblastoma diagnosis in the first weeks of 2026, Case impressed us all with his calm acceptance and peace about his story coming to an end.

His parting request to all is to remember him by taking the time to enjoy a beer with a friend.

His family would like to express thanks for the personal and compassionate in-home care provided through Ontario Health atHome and the VON palliative care team, and for the wonderful care provided by the staff and volunteers at Carpenter Hospice.

Friends may visit with the family on Tuesday, June 2, 2026 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at KITCHING, STEEPE & LUDWIG FUNERAL HOME, 146 Mill St. N., Waterdown. A Funeral Service will take place the following day, Wednesday, June 3, 2026 at GRACE VALLEY CHURCH, 23 Melville St., Dundas, beginning at 11 a.m. Interment to follow at Millgrove Cemetery.

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