Len was born in Van Nuys, CA on June 21, 1954. Len was the third of four siblings. In 1960, the family moved to the Turlock area. Len attended Chatom school from Kindergarten to 8th grade. Chatom elementary was where he met his forever sweetheart, Sherrie. Len then went on to attend Turlock High School , graduating in the year 1972. Shortly after, Len and Sherrie were married on March 2, 1974.
Len and his brother Wayne had a dairy. These were some of Len’s favorite past times. After leaving the dairy, he started his endeavors of selling dairy cattle and continued to be a cattle broker through his working career. In these years, he had two wonderful children, Erik in 1979 and Bethany in 1982. Both the light of his life. Len was a member of the Denair Fire Department and enjoyed what those duties entailed. He also coached many years of Pee Wee football for Turlock Youth Football. These last few years of Len’s life were spent enjoying his sweet grandkids and watching them grow.
Len is survived by his wife, Sherrie Van Gaalen of Denair, children Erik Van Gaalen of Denair, and Bethany Miller of Modesto, his siblings, Wayne Van Gaalen of Turlock, Rachel Corley of Turlock and Joyce Doerman of Grain Valley, MO. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren.
A celebration of Len’s life will be held at 1pm on Friday, December 29, at Allen Mortuary.
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