Derk Landzaat's Obituary
Derk Landzaat, age 90, of Georgetown, DE, formerly of Lewes, passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side on Sunday, November 11, 2012 at, his residence. He was born in The Hague, Netherlands, on Monday, October 23, 1922, son of the late Hendrik and Treen (Steen) Landzaat.
Mr. Landzaat immigrated to the United States in 1954 after serving with the Netherlands Military; he was a POW in Germany for three and one-half years. After arriving in the USA, Mr. Landzaat was a workaholic. His employers included the Lewes Fish Factory, the Smith Farm, the Bean Factory and as a shoemaker, all in Lewes. In the late 1950's, Mr. Landzaat, together with his late wife, owned and operated the now defunct Sunoco Station on the corner of Route 1 and Kings Highway. Simultaneously, he had a contract delivery business with Sears & Roebuck of Midway. He also personally built and ran an apartment complex on Route 1. Everyone who knew Derk loved him as he was always a caring and generous person; when he saw a need, he took care of it. He was known as the "Candy Man" and as a jokester who loved a good laugh; he enjoyed the beach, feeding the birds at the beach and he always had a cat. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and uncle who will be sorely missed.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife Gerda in 1984. He is survived by his son, Bruce Landzaat and his wife Christina of Lewes; his daughter Loretta Landzaat of Georgetown, DE; two grandchildren: Jay Schaefer and Brianna Schaefer; his nephew Robert Knoester and wife Maggie of the Netherlands; other family members in the Netherlands; and his cat "June."
Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, November 15, 2012 at 11:00 AM, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE. Friends may visit at the funeral home beginning at 10:00 AM. Interment will be at St. Peter's Cemetery - Pilottown Road, Lewes.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Tunnell Cancer Center, c/o Beebe Medical Center, 424 Savannah Road, Lewes, DE 19958 or to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, 2 Mill Road, Ste. 106, Wilmington, DE 19806.
Please sign Mr. Landzaat's online guestbook at this site.
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