Newton Paul ‘Van’ Van Maren Jr.

Newton Paul "Van" Van Maren Jr., 99, of Casper, Wyoming, died of natural causes on Sept. 21, 2019, at St. John's Lutheran Ministries in Billings, Montana.

A viewing will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29, at Bustard's Funeral Home, followed by a Rosary at 6 p.m. A funeral mass will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 30, at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, followed by a reception. Committal with military honors and burial will be at Oregon Trail Veteran's Cemetery at 2 p.m.

Van was born in Ottumwa, Iowa, on Jan. 14, 1920, the first of five children to N. P. and Catherine Van Maren. In 1942, he enlisted in the Army Air Forces and served as a Sergeant near Karachi until the end of 1945. He moved to Casper for work after WWII, and married Juanita Beamish on April 24, 1946.

He eventually joined Wyoming National Bank as a teller, and worked his way up through President and Board Chairman at Hilltop National Bank, attending Pacific Coast Graduate School of Banking along the way. At work, he especially enjoyed mentoring people, many of whom continue to express loyalty and affection for him today. He finally retired in 2013, at 93 years old.

He worked on the CATC board and in several roles within his church. He faithfully read the Casper Star Tribune and the Wall Street Journal, keeping up on local and world events.

He also especially enjoyed gardening and starting plants in his greenhouse to share with friends.

He and Juanita instilled self-reliance and thoughtful, vigorous engagement with the world into their children. We will miss his wit, his charm, his storytelling, his insight and, of course, the genuine care he had for all he knew.

Van is survived by his seven children, Steven (Elizabeth) of Sandy, Utah; Susan (Larry) Shippy of Weston, Wyoming; Barbara "Fern" Van Maren of Boise, Idaho; Cynthia Van Maren of Billings; David (Laurie) of Fort Collins, Colorado; Diane (Tim) Wilkinson of Spokane, Washington; Nancy Van Maren (George Fink) of Billings; 24 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and one sister.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Juanita Van Maren; and by his grandson, Keith Van Maren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to Saint Anthony School Foundation (Casper), or to Saint John's United Foundation (Billings) at 406-655-7783.