Leo Warmerdam

Leo Warmerdam, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, age 93, passed away peacefully on Saturday, 9 September 2017, in Fresno, California. We are given the gift of life knowing that we will eventually have to give it back, but we feel so blessed for the 93 years of love, wisdom, patience, humor and spirit he shared with us.

Leo immigrated to the United States after WWII from the Netherlands, sponsored by his father’s cousin with a job milking cows in Artesia, CA.  Once established, he was followed by his parents and 9 of his 10 siblings.  In 1953, he, his father and brothers started Warmerdam Dairy.  Leo, with his brother Ted, moved the operations to Hanford in 1968 which they successfully ran together for 48 years.  Leo had a strong Catholic faith as a member of St. Brigid’s Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, and as a catechism teacher.

Leo is survived by his wife of 60 years, Patricia; children, Mary-Ann (Robert Falconer) and Matthew (Carole); four grandchildren, Christopher, Nicole, Benjamin, and Danielle; sisters, Thea vande Mortel, Betty (Bert) Verger, Ada van Ryn and Yvonne van Lewen; his brother and business partner, Ted (Joanne) Warmerdam; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Family, friends, and others whose lives Leo has touched are invited to celebrate his life on 22 September 2017 at 11 a.m., St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 19399 CA-120, Ripon, California.

Leo always intended to retire to this part of California, God had other plans. May he be at peace, know that he was loved, and we were blessed.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to either the Thomas McCarthy Foundation (c/o St-Rose-Thomas McCarthy Memorial School, Hanford, California) or the Nazareth House, Fresno, California.

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