Mervin Vanderhoof

Mervin Lloyd Vanderhoof January 5,1932 to August 23,2022.

Van passed gently surrounded by his family and friends on August 23, 2022 at Scotts House Hospice in Santa Fe New Mexico. He fought a courageous battle against cancer.

He was referred to as Van, Mert, Mertie and Mervin by those that knew him.   He was a genuinely kind and gentle man much loved by his extended family, friends and neighbors. He will be remembered for his sense of humor and his love of telling stories about his life growing up in Hugo and Limon Colorado. He had an incredible ability to remember names, places and dates.

Van attended Hugo High School and Limon High School in Colorado graduating in 1950. He participated in many sports and had a love for football and basketball. He served in the Air Force for two years in Harlingen Texas where he met and married Ola Marie Roberts. They returned to Boulder Colorado where he attended The University of Colorado graduating in 1959 with a BA in Economics and Political Science. Van and Ola had 2 children George Guy and Laurie Gay. The lived in the Denver area where Van worked in human Resources for 20 years.

He met and married his wife Jean in 1973. They raised Jeans two children Richard and Rebecca.

In the late 70’s Van brought Jean back to her home state of New Mexico where he began to work in Drug and Alcohol Counseling. During this time, he attained a Masters Degree in Social Work and became the New Mexico DWI coordinator.  Van and Jean lived in Santa Fe New Mexico for 40 years.

When Jean developed Alzheimer’s disease, Van devoted himself to her care until her death in 2021.

He is preceded in death by his parents George Elba and Millard Pauline Vanderhoof, sister Lucy Vanderhoof Guy Anderson, brother Virgil Vanderhoof, children Richard Davis and Rebecca Mann.

Van is survived by his son George Guy Vanderhoof (Nano), Laurie Gay Reich (Bobby), Sister-in-law Onnie Davis (Charlie Flynn), Daughter in law; Renee Davis( Richards widow), Grandchildren Tessa Cheyenne Reich-Bichler (Michael Bichler), TJ-Thomas Jesse Reich, Kacey Mann, Troy Davis, Corey Davis (Tasha) Great grandchildren Levi, Lexi and Leo Davis and many loved extended family members.

Special and grateful thanks for the loving care in Vans life and final days to:

The many relatives who visited him.

Vans wonderful neighbors. (You know who you are)

The loving staff at the Montecito of Santa Fe N.M.

The Angels at SCOTT’S HOUSE HOSPICE Santa Fe N.M.

There will be a Military Ceremony at the National Cemetery in Santa Fe, Wednesday September 7th, at 1 pm.

Mervin and Jean will lay to rest together at the National Cemetery.