Jonnie VanderZanden

Jonnie VanderZanden, 82, a resident of the Hillsboro community, died Friday, October
2, 2026, after a long battle with Alzheimers.

Jonnie was born on September 28, 1944, in Boise, Idaho, the daughter of John and
Margaret Harding. As a young girl, Jonnie lived in Italy for two years post-World War II
with her parents before the family returned to the Pacific Northwest, settling in Portland,
Oregon. She attended Sylvan Elementary and Lincoln High School and later Oregon
State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in education in 1966. Jonnie
began her career as an elementary school teacher in the Portland area.

While attending OSU, Jonnie met her future husband, Tom VanderZanden. The two
were acquaintances for several years before beginning a courtship. After two years of
dating, they were married at Fort Vancouver, Washington on October 25, 1974.

Jonnie and Tom made their home on the family farm near Hillsboro, Oregon, for two
years until they built their “dreamhouse” in Helvetia in 1977, where they raised their
three sons, Mike, Jesse and Tom. The house was a true labor of love and a wonderful
place for their boys to grow up, explore and play. During these years, Jonnie focused on
raising her children while continuing to support local schools as a substitute teacher.
Some of the family's favorite traditions included cutting wood for the winter, working around the house, vacations to Diamond Lake, and skiing during the winter.

As her boys grew older, Jonnie returned to school at Portland State University, where
she earned a Master of Science in Counseling in 1992. She went on to become a
licensed practicing counselor, started her own business, and helped and supported
many people throughout her career.

Jonnie lived an active, full and adventurous life. She enjoyed playing golf, traveling,
camping and spending time with family and friends. She was an aerobics instructor and
an avid race walker, participating in four marathons and Portland to Coast six times. At
the age of 66, she completed the Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim Trail. She also played
Bandon Dunes six times. Jonnie had a lifelong love of dogs and over the course of her
life welcomed 22 of them into her family. Jonnie was also a wonderful singer and had
the honor of singing at many couple’s weddings over the years.

Jonnie was preceded in death by her parents, John and Margaret Harding.

She is survived by her husband, Tom VanderZanden; her three sons, Mike Dorr, Tom
VanderZanden Jr., Jesse VanderZanden and his wife, Amy, her four grandchildren,
Taylor, Jack, Braedon and Emma, and her brother C.B. Harding.