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110 East 12th Street
Vancouver, Washington
IRWIN LANDERHOLM
December 12, 1923 ~ June 19, 2013
Irwin Carl Landerholm was born to Eva and Carl Landerholm on December 12, 1923 and lived almost his entire life in Clark County, WA. He died at age 89 on June 19, 2013. Irwin's early years were spent in La Center and Fruit Valley and his adult life in Hazel Dell, overlooking Vancouver Lake. He was blessed with wonderful education from these area schools: La Center Elementary, Shumway Junior High, Vancouver High School, Reed College, Washington State University, and the University of Oregon Law School.
With the onset of WWII, Irwin enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp (Air Force) and served as a 1st Lieutenant at Prestwick Air Base in Scotland.
When the war was over, he finished his undergraduate degree and then went to law school at the U of O, where he met his future wife, Dovy, a fellow law student. They were married in 1951 and moved back to Vancouver, where Irwin was an attorney for over 50 years, at what is now known as Landerholm Law Firm.
Irwin and Dovy raised four children, Carl, Jeannie, Kay, and Kent. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. He was also a committed Christian, which shaped his whole life. Irwin often said how blessed he was to be a part of First United Methodist Church-Vancouver. He once wrote: "I have tried my best to follow Jesus's teachings: to love and serve others. My church family is of fundamental importance." From Irwin's commitment to serve, he led and participated in many ministries, including teaching adult Sunday School classes for decades, and helping to start the Vancouver Methodist Foundation with Dovy. Since its beginning in 1968, the Foundation has given more than $2.5 million to help people with a variety of needs, including scholarships for young people to attend college and seminary.
Irwin's commitment to care for people impacted many in our community. He not only served his own clients with integrity, he served many others through volunteer work. As a lifelong Rotarian, he helped initiate the club's involvement at Washington Elementary and beyond, sponsoring the lunch buddy and tutoring programs. He himself volunteered as a reading buddy for years at Washington and Fruit Valley Schools. Among other efforts, Irwin also helped form the Vancouver Counseling Center, was a member of the board of the Southwest Washington Community Foundation, and was chair of the library board when they built Fort Vancouver Regional Library. He spent many hours working on our mayor's Citizen Steering Committee, with a major effort to bring a four year university to Vancouver.
In addition to serving people, a lot of other things brought Irwin great joy: his friends old and new, writing in his daily diary, and playing tennis. The beauty of the earth was very important to him; he enjoyed working in his yard, bird watching, camping, fishing, and hiking. Irwin also really enjoyed reading and learning new things; he loved history and was fortunate to travel and explore many interesting places around the world. And, as his family and friends know, Irwin loved poetry, and loved reciting poetry. Finally, there wasn't a day without singing old folk songs, hymns, and a bit of whistling.
Irwin is survived by Dovy, his loving wife of 62 years; his children, Carl, with wife Karen, Jeannie Garth and husband Gary, Kay Lansverk and husband Marvin, Kent, with his wife Laurie; and also thirteen grandchildren; and five great- grandchildren.
He was so GRATEFUL to God for his faith,
for his family and for his friends.
A celebration of Irwin's life will be held on Saturday, June 29, at 11:00 a.m., at First United Methodist Church, 33rd and Main St., Vancouver.
In honor of his commitment to others, memorial gifts may be made to the Vancouver Methodist Foundation, 401 E 33rd St., Vancouver, WA 98663.
Please sign his guest book at: www.columbian.com/obits.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Our sympathy and condolences to the Landerholm Family. We have remembered you in our prayers today. When we moved to Hazel Dell from Colorado, your family welcomed us wholeheartedly. We love you! Harvey and Alma Baynes
July 1, 2013
Thank You, Jesus, for the blessing Grandpa was to all of us.
I am praying for family and friends during this time of healing.
Derek Garth
June 30, 2013
Derek Garth
June 30, 2013
Derek Garth
June 30, 2013
Derek Garth
June 30, 2013
Dovy & Family:
We remember Irwin's infectious smile & his special poem readings. His legacy of dedicated Christian service at FUMC & in the community will be hard to follow. We will miss our "pew friend".
Tom & Debbi Musser
June 29, 2013
you be miss friend
kevin gentry
kevin gentry
June 29, 2013
Irwin was one of the finest men I ever knew. His integrity was flawless and his committment to his family, his church and his community was tireless. I admired him so much.
Betty Sue Morris
June 27, 2013
Irwin was a true hero in my life -- I cherish those memories! Hugs and blessings and prayers to all of the Landerholm family and to all of his special friends.
Jane Laremore
June 27, 2013
Dear Dovy and family,
Our love and prayers are with you. Irwin was a kind soul. I was the beneficiary of his love of teaching. His influence, along with Duane, Steve, Dale and the others set a true direction for my own career. I had the pleasure of presenting him with the Bar Association's award for 50 years of service. He was a true gentleman and a stellar example.
Bill and Barbara Reed
June 26, 2013
Irwin was a good man and lived a full life. I treasure my time and experiences with him . He is an example of many qualities and thousands have been positively impacted by his actions and conduct. Thank you Irwin for making our community and world better.
Terry Lee
June 26, 2013
Irwin, it was a privilege and honor to know you, and you will be missed. You and your family have always been an inspiration to me. Dovy, consider yourself hugged.
Robert Bowlin
June 26, 2013
What a true inspiration Mr. Landerholm was!! I will never forget him. My prayers are with all of his family and friends.
Rhonda Frauen-Hite
June 26, 2013
Dear Dovy & family: Thank you for sharing such a wonderful man with so many. Irwin made a huge contribution to vancouver and Clark County! I will always remember and cheerish Irwin's kind words and fun wit. I will also remember behind every good man there is a Great woman...thanks Dovy for loving him so good! God bless Jeanie & Wayne Arbour
June 26, 2013
We have lost our family patriarch. The road will not be the same. But because of you, Irwin, it will not be less traveled. You have 5 great grandchildren and one on the way plus many generations to come who will continue to hear your stories and favorite poems.
Karen Landerholm
June 25, 2013
Thanks for your friendship, Irwin. Blessings to you, Dovy and family. Irwin has left us all with treasured memories.
Dale Bowlin
June 25, 2013
Despite the distance, my heart is with you in this time of sorrow. Big beso for the whole family.
Viviana Sosa
June 25, 2013
My thoughts and prayers to Dovy, Kent, Carl and families. Irwin will be missed as a leader in the community, business, church and all that he initiated and contributed to. God rest his soul. Sorry to miss saturday, out of town.
Robert Hayden
June 25, 2013
Irwin, we will all miss you but we all know that you are in a better place and you are now with your family.
Alexis S.B
June 25, 2013
Aunt Dovy & Family,
Wishing we could be with you celebrating Uncle Irwin's life and mourning our loss. The many times I stayed with your family are among my favorite childhood memories. Uncle Irwin always made me feel special. He was a loving and generous man.
Praying that you will feel the comfort of God's love,
Christine and Bob
Christine Landerholm-Miller
June 25, 2013
May you rest in peace my good friend. Dovy and Family so sorry for your loss. If you need anything don't hesitate to ask.
Brenda Stevahn
June 25, 2013
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