Vander "Van" Hakes

St. George, UT  - Vander “Van” Duane Hakes, 83, passed away on Sept. 6, 2015 at the Southern Utah  Veterans Home in Ivins, Utah.  He was born on March 31, 1932 in Los Angeles, CA to Justus Vander Hakes and Thora Rachel Jones.

Van was raised in Arizona by his maternal Grandmother, Alice Jones, until moving to California in his teens where he graduated from Inglewood H.S.  At age 20, he joined the Navy and served on Active Duty for 22 years. He was in the Naval Security Group in various capacities including Intelligence work.  After being sealed to Veralee Seltenreich in the Los Angeles Temple in 1956, they traveled all over the world, with their three children born on three different continents.  He also attended Leadership, Instructor Training and Russian Language Training. He was commissioned an officer in 1964 and retired as a Lieutenant in 1972.  He then joined Navy Civil Service and continued to serve his country from 1974-1994.

After Veralee’s passing, Van married Jan Fraser in 1990.  He was beloved for his fun personality and sense of humor.  He had a heart of gold and was always going out of his way to help another.  Van was an avid golfer, working as a Marshal at several courses in California and Nevada.  He also learned how to make and repair golf clubs.  He was active in other ways as well, including teaching country line dancing during his years in San Diego. Van loved animals and always had dogs by his side.

Van was active in the LDS church his entire life and dearly loved the gospel.  He served faithfully in many callings including Bishopric and Stake High Council member, Singles Representative and High Priest Group Leader.

After divorcing and relocating to Southern Utah, he met and was sealed to Joan Seeds in the St. George Temple on December 30, 2009. Unfortunately, after breaking his hip in December 2013, his health declined.  He resided at the Southern Utah Veterans Home from that time until his peaceful passing.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Justin and Thora Hakes and his first wife, Veralee.  He is survived by his wife, Joan Hakes, his three children, David (Sandy) of Eagle, CO, Allen (Heather) of Murrieta, CA and Leeann (Bob) Burnham of Woodbury, MN, his ex-wife, Jan Coles and stepchildren, Jennie (Wally) Ritchie of Santa Clara, UT, Debbie (Steve) Prinster of Henderson, NV, Curtis (Charlotte) Seeds and Kevin (Sherese) Seeds, both of West Point, UT and numerous grandchildren and one great granddaughter.  His family will greatly miss him.

The family would like to thank the amazing Journey of Hope Hospice staff as well as the staff at Southern Utah Veterans Home for their caring service and support over the past months.

Van was cremated and his ashes will be interred at the National Cemetery in Riverside, CA.

Services will be held this Saturday, September 12, 2015 at 12 Noon at the LDS Chapel located at  628 S. 3000 E., Washington, UT.