Covenant News

Services Held for Young Ryen Vanden Broeder

LIBERTY, MO (September 2, 2004) - Funeral services were held Tuesday at the United Methodist Church in Liberty for eight-year-old Ryen Vanden Broeder who died last Thursday (August 26) of heatstroke while getting in shape for his team's football season.

Vanden Broeder, who attended Liberty Springs Covenant Church with his family, was exercising at home during a humid day and collapsed while walking on a treadmill, according to a report by the Kansas City Star.

Born November 6, 1995, Vanden Broeder was a multi-sport athlete who played recreational league baseball and basketball and was a medalist for an area swim club. A good student, the third-grader was passionate about football and wanted to play professionally some day.

Even more significant, Vanden Broeder was passionate about his Christian walk. He professed his faith in Jesus when he was baptized at age four and believed he would be a minister someday. In the Star story, Ryen's pastor, Glen Smith, recalled how Ryan would draw football plays on his church bulletins and add a Christian cross to symbolize his faith.

"He filled the world with his loving ways and his enormous character," his family stated in an obituary written prior to Tuesday's memorial service. "His kindness will transcend his death and remain with those who knew him. The tallest in his class, he was a defender of the meek and was a naturally gifted teacher of sportsmanship and the way to totally live one's faith in God . . . the energy that he put into his faith outshined even his passion for sports and academics. His faith was mature, deeply abiding and extremely natural. Ryen's words and actions consistently proclaimed his belief in Christ's love . . ."

Vanden Broeder is survived by his parents, Robert and Kelli, and siblings Robyn, Robert and Russell, along with many grandparents and great-grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. It is suggested that memorial gifts may be given in lieu of flowers to Liberty Springs Covenant Church, PO Box 149, Liberty, MO, 64069-0149.

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