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Obituaries
GARRET DEAN VER MEER
Garret Dean Ver Meer, son of J.D. Ver Meer and Donna Jo Pleima, was stillborn on Feb. 18. There will be a visitation at the chapel on Central College's campus on Feb. 22 from 5-7 pm. Memorials may be designated in Garret's name. Wallace Family Funeral Home, Newton
DOROTHY MONSMA
Angeline Doroth Witzenburg Monsma, 87, of Pella, died Feb. 13. Funeral services will be Saturday, Feb. 18, 10:30 a.m. at Covenant Reformed Church in Pella. Visitation will begin Friday morning at Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home, where family will be present from 4-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to the Pella Christian Schools or Covenant Reformed Church.
Angeline Dorothy Monsma was born on a farm west of Pella on March 13, 1924, to Teunis and Magdalena (De Zwarte) Witzenburg. She lived in Otley with her parents and older sister Margery June until the family moved to Pella in 1932. Dorothy’s father Teunis, a farmer and sheep shearer, died in 1939 when Dorothy was 15 years old. Dorothy attended Otley and Pella Christian Grade Schools, graduated from Pella Community High School in 1942, and completed summer courses at Central College and William Penn. She taught in Pella area country schools for six years, spending two of those years at the East Amsterdam Country School. Dorothy drove her Chevy rumble seat car to school, always arriving early to get the coal stove burning to warm the schoolhouse.
Angeline Dorothy Witzenburg and William Robert Monsma met at a Young Calvinist Convention in Pella, Iowa, and they were united in marriage on August 2, 1945 at First Christian Reformed Church of Pella. Robert and Dorothy were blessed with five children: Sandra Rae, Marla Kay, Rhonda Faye, David Ray, and Paul Jay.
Dorothy was baptized in Otley Reformed Church, and she made profession of faith at First Christian Reformed Church of Pella, IA. She later served as a Sunday school and catechism teacher, Calvinettes leader, and was a member of various church societies. Dorothy was a member of Covenant Reformed Church in Pella, Iowa.
God called Dorothy home on February 13, 2012; she was 87 years and 11 months old. Dorothy was a loving, caring, and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, and great- grandmother. Those left to cherish her memory are her loving and devoted husband Robert, her children and their spouses, twenty-one grandchildren and their spouses, twenty-one great- grandchildren and a spouse, and several nieces and nephews and their spouses. They are: Sandra (deceased March 1, 2002) and her husband Stuart Van Kooten of Littleton, Colorado; Marla and her husband Bruce Schiebout of Pella, Iowa; Rhonda and her husband Leon Scott of Centennial, Colorado; David Monsma and his wife Michele (Roose) of Denver, Colorado and Paul Monsma and his wife Debra (Roose) of Pella, Iowa. Of her husband Robert’s family, she leaves Robert and Margery Stuit of Grand Rapids, Michigan; Marvin and Elaine Monsma of Grandville, Michigan; and Dr. Kenneth and Dorothy Monsma of Pella, Iowa.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents Teunis and Magdalena Witzenburg, parents-in-law John and Johanna Monsma, sister and brother-in-law Margery and Arnold Van Zee, and daughter Sandra Van Kooten.
BLAKE VAN VARK
Blake Van Vark, 16, of Pella, died Feb. 13 Funeral services will be Saturday, Feb. 18, 10:30 a.m. at Third Reformed Church in Pella. Visitation will be after 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 17, at Third Reformed Church, where family will be present from 4-6 p.m. Memorials may be designated for Third Reformed Church c/o Baja 101, to build a home in La Mision, Mexico. Garden Chapel Funeral Home in Pella.
Blake Mattingly Van Vark was born on September 22, 1995, in Pella, Iowa. He was the oldest of four children born to Wade and Hilary Schuring Van Vark. He passed away at the age of sixteen on Monday, February 13, 2012, due to injuries sustained in a car accident.
Blake was a member of the sophomore class at Pella High School, where he was actively involved in many facets of school life. He was a drummer both in the school band and at church and was a member of the football, basketball, baseball, and golf teams. He had the career goal of becoming an architect.
Blake's faith was an important part of his life, as was spending time with his brothers and sister. He enjoyed his many friends, all sports (especially the Yankees), music, and art.
Those left to cherish his memory are the following: his parents, Wade and Hilary Van Vark of Pella; his siblings, Halle, Noah, and Tate; his maternal grandparents, Stan and Diane Schuring of Pella; his paternal grandparents, Kent and Sue Van Vark of Pella; his maternal great grandmother, Tressie Van Weelden of Pella; his paternal great grandmother, Dorothy Van Vark of Pella; maternal aunts and uncles Heather and Trent LaHue and Heidi and Grady Holt; paternal aunt and uncle Cole and Sarah Van Vark; cousins Addy and Izaak LaHue, Max, Abe, Anne, and Camille Holt, and Fisher Van Vark; numerous other relatives; and his honorary big sister, Kelsey Fynaardt.
Preceding him in death were his great grandparents, Jake and Arvena Schuring, Arie Van Weelden, Robert F. Van Vark, and Tony and Thelma McMains.
MARVIN SWANK
Marvin Swank, 89, of Sully, died Feb. 12. Funeral services will be Thurs., Feb. 16, 10:30 a.m. at First Reformed Church in Sully. Visitation begins at non on Fe. 15 at Garden Chapel Funeral Home in Pella, where family will be present from 5-7 p.m. Memorials may be designated to The Gideons.
Marvin Earl Swank was born July 10, 1922, to Will and Cora (Van Genderen) Swank on a farm west of Harvey, Iowa. He passed away on February 12, 2012, at the Griffin Nursing Center in Knoxville, Iowa.
Marvin was raised on the family farm southeast of Sully. He attended the Rieder School in Jasper County through the sixth grade. Later he and his family lived northwest of Kilduff where he graduated from the eighth grade at the Elk Creek Independent School .
On September 28, 1944, Marvin was united in marriage with Sophia Ann Ter Louw at the home of her parents in Marion County. It was a double wedding ceremony with Marvin's sister, Dorothy, who married Ralph Vander Kamp. To this union, a daughter, Joyce, was born.
Marvin was engaged in farming south of Sully for forty years. Farming was his life, and he was involved in both livestock and grain production.
Marvin was a member of the First Reformed Church in Sully since 1927. He served on the consistory there, was active in Men's Brotherhood, and had been a Sunday School teacher. He was also involved in a jail ministry and was a member of the Gideons.
Marvin and Sophia moved from their farm to Sully in 1979. Later, in 1999, they moved to Pella. Marvin and Sophia entered the Griffin Nursing Center in 2007.
Those left to cherish Marvin's memory are the following: his wife of 67 years, Sophia, of Knoxville; his daughter, Joyce, and her husband, Byron C. Vander Molen of Pella; granddaughter Tammy (Don) Klynsma; grandson Russell (Mary) Vander Molen; granddaughter Robyn Vander Molen; great grandchildren Jeffrey, Dylan, and Sophie Klynsma, Mason, Jocelyn, and Tessa Vander Molen, and Blake and Zackery Vander Molen. He is also survived by his sister, Dorothy Vander Kamp of Sully, and sisters-in-law Leona Ter Louw of Pella and Louise Ter Louw of Edmond, Oklahoma.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his parents-in-law, his brothers Lester Swank and Marion (Florence) Swank, his brothers-in-law John E. Ter Louw, Gerald (Nellie) Ter Louw, Lester "Buck" Ter Louw, and Ralph Vander Kamp.
DIANE SCHWAN
Diane Schwan, 54, of Pella, died Feb. 4. Funeral services will be Wed., Feb. 8, at 1:30 p.m. at the Chapel of Central College. Visitation will begin Tuesday afternoon at Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home in Pella where family will be present from 4--7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to the Hospice of Pella Comfort House, Lakeview Camp, or the Campus Ministries at Central College.
The 54 year journey of life for Diane Gayle Van Steenis began on March 22, 1957 at Oskalosa, Iowa. Diane was raised by her loving parents, Merle W. and Pearl A. (De Jong) Van Steenis, on their farm north of Pella, Iowa. She graduated from Pella Public High School in Pella with the Class of 1975 and the University of South Dakota at Vermillion, South Dakota in 1979 with a B. S. Degree in Marketing. She made many friends at both institutions that were a true blessing to her during her short life, and particularly Robert Martin Schwan. Diane and Bob were united in marriage on July 19, 1980 at Pella. They made their residence in Pella while Diane was involved in the food industry. Diane passed away on Saturday evening, February 4, 2012, in the Hospice of Pella Comfort House in Pella. Memories will live on forever in the hearts and minds of her husband, Robert Schwan, of Pella; her two older sisters, Sheryl Ann and her husband, Cliff Mulder of Pella, Susan Kay and her husband, Richard Vermeer, of Bettendorf, Iowa; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, John and Alice Schwan of Aberdeen, South Dakota; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, John and Mary Schwan of San Antonio, Texas; and four nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Merle and Pearl Van Steenis. Diane dearly loved her family and many friends and she will be missed by all.
GERRIT BRANDERHORST
Gerrit R. Branderhorst, 70, of Pella, died Feb. 4. Funeral services will be Thursday, Feb. 9, 1:30 p.m. at Calvary Christian Reformed Church in Pella. Visitation will begin Wed. morning at Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home in Pella where family will be present from 3-6 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated for the Christian Opportunity Center in Pella or for th Christian Reformed World Relief Committee Missions.
Gerrit Raymond Branderhorst was the youngest of ten children that were born to Gerrit and Evalena (Van Ryswyk) Branderhorst. He was born on September 1, 1941, in Jasper County near, Prairie City, Iowa. Gerrit was baptized as an infant at the Prairie City Christian Reformed Church in Prairie City, Iowa where he later made profession of his faith. In 1959 he graduated from Pella Christian High School in Pella, Iowa. On February 8, 1963, he was united in marriage with Wilmena Schimmel, a twin daughter of Cornelius and Cora (Van Roekel) Schimmel, at the First Christian Reformed Church in Pella, Iowa. To this union three daughters were born: Brenda Sue, Pamela Kay and Debra Lynn. Following their marriage Gerrit and Willa, as she is known, lived in the Newton, Oskaloosa and Pella, Iowa areas where he farmed for a few years. He then began his employment with Vermeer Manufacturing Company where he was employed for over 38 years. Gerrit and Willa moved into Pella in 1967. In 1971, they moved into their current home and were soon to celebrate their 49th wedding anniversary. However, early Saturday morning, February 4, 2012, Gerrit went home to be with his Heavenly Father soon after arrival at Mercy Hospital Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa. He was 70 years of age and leaves to honor his memory his wife, Willa; their three daughters and sons-in-law: Brenda S. and A. Glen Vannette of Washington, Illinois, Pamela K. and James E. Meadows of Indianola, Iowa, Debra L. and Randy L. Clark of Knoxville, Iowa; and four grandchildren: Matthew, Rebecca and Sarah Vannette and Scott Meadows. Of his original family Gerrit leaves three sisters and their husbands: Mildred and William Vander Hoek of Monroe, Iowa, Esther and William Wellington of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Pearl and Riley Van Zee of Newton, Iowa; one brother: Marvin Branderhorst and his wife, Pauline, of Pella; a sister-in-law, Jennie (William) Branderhorst of Newton and a brother-in-law, Cornelius (Leona Branderhorst) Van Soelen of Sully, Iowa. He is also survived by the following sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Jean (Schimmel) Costache, David and Zelda Schimmel of Pella, Dody (Schimmel) and Leland Braun of Prairie City, Iowa and Wilma (Henry Schimmel) Beyer of Monroe, Iowa. Gerrit was preceded in death by his parents, Gerrit and Evalena Branderhorst; four sisters and their husbands: Marie and John Vos, Dorothy and Albert De Koning, Wilma and Harold Van Zee, Leona (Case) Van Soelen; his brother, William Branderhorst; his parents-in-law, Cornelius and Cora Schimmel; and brothers-in-law, Henry Schimmel and George Costache. Gerrit was a faithful member of the Calvary Christian Reformed Church in Pella where he was actively involved in small group Bible study and enjoyed making visits to the elderly and shut-ins of the church for the pastoral team. He enjoyed helping others especially his brothers and brother-in-law on their farms. He also enjoyed collecting miniature farm equipment and toys and loved music. Gerrit was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and brother in Christ.
ROBERT ROZENBOOM
Robert J. Rozenboom, 82, of Bussey, died Feb. 2. Funeral services will be Mon., Feb. 6, 10 a.m. at Tracy Christian Reformed Church in Tracy. Visitation willbegin Sunday morning at Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home where family will be present from 3-6 p.m. Memorials may be designated for the Hospice of Pella Comfort House of the Tracy Christian Reformed Church.
The journey of life for Robert James Rozenboom began on December 17, 1929, in Mahaska County near Leighton, Iowa. He was the son of Gysbertus and Carrie (Stouwie) Rozenboom.
On November 29, 1950, he was united in marriage with Alvada Van Veldhuizen in Newton, Iowa. They were blessed with four sons: Stephen James, Larry Eugene, Randal Lee, Craig Alan, and two daughters: Jacqueline Sue, and Denise Ilene. Robert worked at the Maytag Company in Newton, Iowa, Vermeer Manufacturing Company in Pella, Iowa, for Jasper County, and Ford Tractor in Newton. But his love for the farm had never left him so he began his farming career. They farmed around the Pella and Sully, Iowa area until 1966 when they moved to the Bussey, Iowa area. He continued to farm and later found his love for the trucking business and began hauling livestock and grain.
Robert’s journey on this earth was complete and a better journey began on Thursday, February 2, 2012, when he passed away at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House in Pella at the age of 82 years. Memories will live on forever in the hearts and minds of his wife, Alvada; his four sons and daughters-in-law, two daughters and sons-in-law, 15 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. They and their families are:
Stephen and Jayne (Nikkel) Rozenboom of Bussey, Iowa
Angela Rozenboom
Adam Rozenboom
Shelby, Sayler Rozenboom
Larry and Cathy (Beekhuizen) Rozenboom of Tracy, Iowa
Jeremy and Allison Rozenboom
Hayden, Nile and Aubrey Rozenboom
Shauna and Tim Hol
Sevanna, Trace Hol
Randal and Carol (Visser) Rozenboom of Bussey, Iowa
Justin and Rebecca Rozenboom
Logan, Landon and Elaina Rozenboom
Ranae Rozenboom
Craig and Carolyn (Maloy) Rozenboom of Bussey, Iowa
Corey Rozenboom
Raegan, Taylor Rozenboom
Brandon and Rebecca Rozenboom
Chase, Kiptyn Rozenboom
Erica and Adam Antolik
Elsie Antolik
Morgan Rozenboom
Jacqueline and Kim Hansen of Bussey, Iowa
Brook and Elizabeth Hansen
Ben, Ellie Hansen
Brandi and Joshua Lieberman
Madisen, Hayden Lieberman
Denise and Rick Anderson of Tracy, Iowa
Nicole and Ryan Groenendyk
Ally, Easton Groenendyk
Collin Anderson
Ashley and Justin Ver Steeg
Robert is also survived by two sisters and a brother-in-law: Jeanetta (Jerald) Dykstra of Pleasant Hill, Iowa, Anna Rae and Lloyd Van Hemert of Oskaloosa, Iowa; his sister-in-law, Darlene (Donald) Rozenboom of Pella; three sisters-in-law: Willena (Van Veldhuizen) Westra, Norma (Van Veldhuizen) Nibbelink, Evy (Van Veldhuizen) and Dave Verschuure all of Pella; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his first grandson, Matthew James Rozenboom, in infancy; his parents, Bert and Carrie Rozenboom; one sister, Beverly, in infancy; his three brothers: Jerry Rozenboom and his wife, Ruby, Donald Rozenboom and Virgil Rozenboom; his sister, Geraldine and her husband, Donald Samson; his brother-in-law, Jerald Dykstra; two sisters-in-law: Mary Lou Rozenboom and Beverly Rozenboom; his parents-in-law: Evert Van Veldhuizen and Bertha (Klyn) Van Veldhuizen; and two brothers-in-law: Wes Westra and Keith Nibbelink.
Robert made profession of his faith at the Newton Christian Reformed Church in Newton. He and Alvada were charter members of the Calvary Christian Reformed Church in Pella. For the past 46 years he was a faithful member of the Tracy Christian Reformed Church in Tracy. Robert lived for the Lord and blessed his family with love, laughter, and joy in his journey on this earth.
ANNA MAE VANDER BEEK
Anna Mae Vander Beek, 80, formerly of Sully, died Jan. 31 in Pella. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 3, at the Sully Christian Reformed Church in Sully. Visitation will be Thursday evening, feb. 2, at the Sully Christian Reformed Church Fellowship Hall, where family will be present from 5-7 p.m. Memorials may be designated for the Sully Christian School. Garden Chapel Funeral Home, Pella
Anna Mae Vander Beek was born August 25, 1931 to John and Henrietta Kloostra Vos. She went to her heavenly home Tuesday, January 31, 2012, at the Pella Regional Health Center – Long Term Care at the age of eighty.
On November 7, 1951 she was united in marriage with Joe Vander Beek at her parents home in Killduff. They were blessed with two children: Karen and Jerry. Anna Mae enjoyed her role as a housewife and helping on the farm. Anna Mae and Joe lived in the Lynnville area prior to moving to Sully in 1972. In 2010 they moved to Pella and resided at the Pella Manor.
Anna Mae was a member of the Sully Christian Reformed Church. She was also a member of the Christian School Circle, Ruth Circle, and the Gideon's Auxiliary.
She enjoyed crocheting, sewing quilts with Ruth Circle, babysitting the grandkids, and taking them to the park to swing.
Those left to cherish her memory are: her husband, Joe; her two children and their spouses: Karen and Craig Terpstra of Onalaska, Wisconsin and Jerry and Pam Vander Beek of Sully; three grandchildren; Joel and Kara Vander Beek, Eric and Laura Terpstra, and Alex Terpstra; four great-grandchildren: Shykira and Camden Baarda, Teryn and Jordan Vander Beek; two brothers: Clarence Vos and Ken Vos; and one sister: Leona Pothoven.
Preceding her in death were: her parents; parents-in-law, Gysbert and Agatha Vander Beek; her brother, Larry Vos; and granddaughter, Terri Vander Beek.
JOHN VANDEVOORT
John H. Vandevoort, 91, of Pella, died Jan. 28. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. on Sat., Feb. 4, at Calvary Christian Reformed Church in Pella. Visitation will be from noon until 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 3, at Garden Chapel Funeral Home in Pella. Memorials may be designated for the Calvary Christian Reformed Church Video Ministry or the Pella Community Foundation.
John H. Vandevoort was born on October 25, 1920. He was the fourth of four children born to Henry and Anna (Klein) Vande Voort of Pella. John passed away Saturday, January 28, 2012, at Jefferson Place in Pella, Iowa at the age of ninety-one.
John graduated from Pella High School in 1938 and the National School of Meat Cutting, Toledo, Ohio in 1941. He made profession of his faith at the First Christian Reformed Church in Pella.
In his younger years, he worked for his brother, Henry, at Vande Voort's Cash Grocery in Pella until October 1942.
John met Wilma "Billie" Meppelink when her family moved to the Pella area and joined the First Christian Reformed Church. They were married on Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 1944, at her parents' home near Pella. This union was blessed with four children: Kenneth John, Robert James, Joel Keith and Jay.
John entered the Army Air Force on October 2, 1942, and served as a photo technician with the 509th Composite Group at Wendover, Utah; North Field, Tinian Island; and Roswell, New Mexico. The 509th dropped the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki and ended the war. He was discharged as a Staff Sergeant on February 6, 1946. John was an inspiration for his sons and grandsons and was the first of six veterans in his immediate family.
John returned to Pella after the war to continue working for his brother at Vande Voort's Cash Grocery, Vande Voort Super Market and Van's Food Market where he was manager and produce manager. He also worked at Pella Cooperative Electric and retired from the Rolscreen Company in 1985. At the present time his home was at Jefferson Place in Pella, Iowa.
Family came first in his life, as he was a very devoted husband and father and received great happiness in loving his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. John enjoyed photography and his photo darkroom, woodworking, cooking outdoors (even in the winter) and following Central College and Iowa Hawkeye football. He also spent time visiting over coffee at In' t Veld's and greeting visitors in Central Park.
John was a charter member of the Calvary Christian Reformed Church in Pella. He served on the first consistory and on the building committee which built the church.
Among those who will cherish his memory are his children and spouses: Ken and Carol Vandevoort of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, Bob and Leslie Vandevoort of Phoenix, Arizona, Joel and Marti Vandevoort of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Jay Vandevoort of Kabul, Afghanistan; six grandchildren: Julie O'Barr, Jim and Vanessa Vandevoort, Rick and Jill Shelton, Jon Vandevoort, Laurel Vandevoort and Bret Vandevoort; six great-grandchildren: Andy, Caitlin and Cierra O'Barr, and Brooke, Madison and Christian Sheldon. Also surviving sister-in-law Jane Bos, brother-in-law and sister-in-law John and Carolyn Meppelink; and several nieces and nephews.
Preceding John in death were his parents, parents-in-law, brother Henry, sisters Wilma Vanden Oever and Grada Vander Hart, brothers-in-law Peter Bos, Marion Vanden Oever and Godert Vander Hart, sisters-in-law Gertrude Meppelink, Claziena Meppelink and Evelyn Meppelink.
KENNETH SCHAKEL
Kenneth Schakel, 80, formerly of Portland, OR, died Jan. 29 in Knoxville. At his request there will be no services. Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home
Kenneth Schakel was born in Oskaloosa, graduated from Pella High School in 1949, and attended Central College. He served with the U.S. Army Air Force and began working with the Army Corps of Engineers. He worked with the construction of the Red Rock Dam and continued with the Corps until his retirement. Ken lived with his step-daughter, Kelly Walker, and her daughter, Emily Walker, in Portland until coming to Pella in 2005 where he lived with his sister, Charlotta Baumann, who survives him. Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Leendert and Gertrude Sels Schakel; his wife, Patricia Schlegel; a brother, Wilfred Schakel; and two sisters: Dorothy Van Niewaal and a twin, Charlene Schakel.
MARIE BOAT
Marie L. Van Vark Boat, 91, of Pella, died Jan. 27 in Oskaloosa. Funeral services will be Wed., Feb. 1, at 1:30 p.m. at the Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home in Pella. Visitation will begin Tuesday afternoon at the funeral home where family will be present from 5-7 p.m. Memorials may be designated to the family of Marie Boat.
CHRIS SCHAKEL
Chris Alan Schakel, 57, died Jan. 26 in Knoxville. Graveside services will be Tuesday, Jan. 31 at 1:30 p.m. in the Oakwood Cemetery in Pella. There will be no visitation. Memorials may be designated for the family of Chris Schakel. Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home
ARLOENE HOEKSEMA
Arloene Jane Hoeksema, 95, of Pella, died Jan. 26. A private burial will be Tuesday, Jan. 31 at Oakwood Cemetery in Pella. There will be no visitation. Memorials may be designated to the chairty of the donor's choice. Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home
CONRAD DEVRIES
Conrad DeVries, 104, of Pella, died Jan. 23. Funeral services will be Saturday, Jan. 28, 10:30 a.m. at Covenant Reformed Church in Pella. Visitation will be Firday afternoon at Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home. Memorials may be designated for Bibles at the Covenant Reformed Church in Pella.
Conrad De Vries was born on January 6, 1908, near Pella, Iowa. He was the sixth child born to Syburn and Jacoba (Stouwie) De Vries and grew up on farms in the Pella area. Conrad attended the Pella Christian Grade School in Pella where he graduated from the 8th grade.
“Con” as he was known, was a hired hand on the farm until his early 20’s when he met Anna Andringa. He often brought her home by horse and buggy and on February 2, 1930, they were married at a church service at the Protestant Reformed Church. Con and Anna were blessed with two children, Vernon Doyle and Beulah Pearl.
They farmed in the Peoria and Pella area for 22 years and in 1952 made a fresh start when they bought a little home in Pella. Although always a farmer at heart, Con found employment at Wormhoudt Furniture Store. Later he decided to do maintenance and janitorial work, first for the Pella Community Hospital and Lincoln School, and then Central College. The Strawtown Inn in Pella was the last place he was hired to do maintenance work for Bob Klein until the 80’s when he retired. His retirement years were spent upholstering furniture and being useful on the farm with his grandchildren. He enjoyed taking them fishing in the summer and hunting in the winter.
In 1990 he and Anna moved from their home on Hazel Street to Prairie Village where they were blessed with ten more years together, the last three of which he lovingly cared for her. God took her took to her heavenly home on February 11, 2000 after 70 years of marriage.
In July 2007 Con became a resident in the Long Term Care Unit at the Pella Regional Health Center. He blessed those around him through sharing his faith and singing Dutch Psalms. While his eyesight had diminished, his memory of the Psalms and hymns remained strong. On Monday evening January 23, 2012 at the astounding age of 104 years the Lord called him to his Heavenly home.
Con was truly a blessing to his entire family. He will be remembered for his patience, kind spirit and loving heart. His grandchildren especially remember him singing Psalms at their wedding receptions. He will be dearly missed by his family and many others who knew him.
Those left to cherish his memory are:
Beulah P. and Loren De Zwarte of Pella, IA
Lila and Larry Gullion of Knoxville, IA
Darrell and Rhonda De Zwarte of Pella, IA
Larry and Janice De Zwarte of Knoxville, IA
Sheila and Jim Van Donselaar of Grand Rapids, MI
Lisa and Kevin Rowe of Grand Rapids, MI
Tresa and Tim Koole of Grand Rapids, MI
Lonnie and Danece De Zwarte of Pella, IA
Angela and Brian Tenbrock of Grand Rapids, MI
Pamela and Mike Cleary of Grand Rapids, MI
Marilyn J. (Vernon) De Vries of Pella, IA
Michael and Dawn De Vries of Kalamazoo, MI
David and Laurel De Vries of Knoxville, IA
Carla and Will Bennett of Phoenix, AZ
Ruth Kuiper of Knoxville, IA
Thomas and Jill De Vries of Pella, IA
The Lord not only blessed Con and Anna with 2 children, but also 16 grandchildren, 63 great-grandchildren and 34 great-great-grandchildren. Of his original family he leaves one sister, Dorothy (Cecil) De Vries of Pella.
Con was preceded in death by his wife, Anna; his son, Vernon; two grandchildren, Leann and Anthony De Zwarte; a great-great-grandchild, Sara Lunsford; his parents, Syburn and Jacoba De Vries; and the following sisters and brothers: Minnie (Gysbert) Ryken, Anna (Syburn) Vortman, Tena (Henry) Stursma, Jacob De Vries and Wiebe De Vries.
FRAN VAN HAAFTEN
Frances Vande Lune Van Haaaften, 91, died Jan. 24. Funeral services will be Friday, Jan. 27, 1:30 p.m. at First Christian Reformed Church in Pella. Visitation will begin Thursday afternoon at Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home, where family will be present from 5-7 p.m. Memorials may be designated for the radio ministry or Happy Qilters at the First Christian Reformed Church or Caring Bridge.
Frances Vande Lune was born on December 16, 1920, near Leighton, Iowa. She was the fourth of eight children that were born to William and Lena (Vander Wiel) Vande Lune. Fran began her grade education near Leighton and graduated from the 8th grade at Prairie City, Iowa. As a young girl she made her home with her parents and started working at the Rolscreen Company in Pella,Iowa on April 25, 1949. Her father passed away in January, 1956, and following his death Fran continued to care for her mother until her death in November, 1974. On October 17, 1975, she was united in marriage with Ernest John Van Haaften, a son of the late John A. and Minnie (Van Gorp) Van Haaften. Following their wedding, Fran and “Ernie”, newlyweds, were greeted with a then popular shivaree. Ernie passed away suddenly on September 1, 1976, at the age of 59 years leaving her with four step-children: Nella Veenstra,John E. Van Haaften, and twins, Ruth J. and Ronald J. Van Haaften. Following his death Fran continued to be a part of the Rolscreen Company success for 42 years. She had began working in the venetian blind area and then on the moulders and as a sash nailer. At the time of her retirement in March, 1991, she was one of the more senior members of the architectural plant works in the muntin bar department. Fran was recognized for having 31 years of perfect attendance and dedicated service to the Rolscreen Company and in Februray, 1989, was recognized by the then Iowa Governor Terry Branstad as a “Treasure of Iowa”. She and her younger sister, Shirley Schutte, did cleaning at Vermeer Manufacturing Company and Fran remained a very active person. She enjoyed flea markets, antiques and traveling. She collected dolls and clocks and had the opportunity over the years to visit such places as Hawaii, Europe, New Zealand and Australia. Fran enjoyed talking on the telephone daily, gardening and taking care of her yard. She will long be remembered for her leaf raking “technique”. On Tuesday morning, January 24, 2012, Fran passed away at her residence in Pella, where she had lived since 1963, at the age of 91 years. She is survived by three step-children: Nella Veenstra, Ruth Bushnell and Ronald Van Haaften; and will be dearly missed by her brother and his wife, Marvin and Mary Lou Vande Lune , her sister and her husband, Shirley and Joe Schutte, another sister-in-law, Esther (Leonard) Vande Lune all of Pella; and her special nieces and nephews. Fran was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Van Haaften; a step-son, John E. Van Haaften; her parents, William and Lena Vande Lune; a brother who died in infancy in 1929, two sisters and their husbands: Gertrude and Gert Van Dyke, Ruth and M. Merle Kallemyn, and two brothers and their wives: Wilbert G. and Genevieve Vande Lune, and Leonard R. and Janella Vande Lune. Fran loved to listen to Christian music. She was a lifelong member of the First Christian Reformed Church in Pella and was a faithful listener to their radio ministry broadcast. “Auntie Fran” was loved by her special nieces and nephews and will be truly missed by her family and many friends.
NORMA GAASS
Norma L. Goodel Gaass, 90, of Pella, died Jan. 23. Funeral services will be Saturday, Jan. 28, at 2 p.m. at Second reformed Church in Pella. Visitation will begin Friday afternoon at Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home. Visitation with family will be from 5-7 p.m. at The Gathering Place at the Church. Memorials may be designated for the Scholte House Museum, Second Reformed Church, or for the Peter G. & Norma L. Gaass Endowed Scholarship Fund at Central College.
Norma Lucille was born in rural Wayne County, Iowa on November 14, 1921, the second daughter of Bertha Ione Winger Goodell and Clarence William Goodell. She graduated from Cambria High School at Cambria, Iowa in 1938. After graduation, the family moved to Pella, Iowa to allow their daughters, Geraldine and Norma, to attend Central College, where they had been awarded scholarships. Clarence & Ione ran the West End Café & gas station, which became a popular hangout for young people. Norma, pretty & outgoing, was an attendant on the Central College Homecoming court and was active in a womens’ society at Central where she majored in History. While at Central, she met Peter George Gaass, a Pella native, whose ancestors founded Pella. His mother, Elizabeth H. (Bess) Scholte Gaass was the first child born to Henry Peter and Leonora Keables Scholte. Henry P. Scholte was the son of Dominie Hendrik Pieter and Mareah Scholte, who were leaders of the Dutch colonists who had founded Pella, Iowa in 1847.
After graduation, Norma taught at Colfax High School in Colfax, Iowa and Pete entered the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. They were married on March 19, 1943, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Norma supported Pete in his military career, moving with him to Air Force bases across the country until he was sent to fight in the South Pacific. Norma moved back to Pella in 1944 for the birth of their first child. After the end of the war, Pete returned to Pella where he practiced law with his father, George Gerard Gaass, in the Gaass & Gaass Law Firm which later became Gaass, Klyn & Boehlje. Pete continued to practice law until shortly before his death on May 6, 2002 at the age of 84 years.
Norma & Pete established a happy and active home, welcoming four children: Pamela Kay, Janis Norine, Karen Ilene and David Peter. Norma was active in Second Reformed Church, P. E. O. Chapter BU, TTT Chapter AE and served on the Pella Community Center Board. She volunteered as a greeter in the Windmill in Central Park, helped decorate the Historical Village at Christmas and was involved in numerous other community activities. She and Pete spent many winters in Florida, where they loved beach walking. She was a warm and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who remained active until illness dictated a new lifestyle. Norma lived at Vriendschaap Village for several years after Pete’s death, where she was a friend to all.
Norma was also a tremendously active and dedicated supporter of Central College and the Pella Tulip Festival. She worked each year to insure that all family members could have Dutch costumes. Her contributions of time and effort to the Scholte House were significant. Other Tulip Time contributions included helping to dress the dolls in the Historical Village display, participating in the Parade of Provinces on stage, riding on the Provinces Float, working on the Queen’s Court costume committee and conceptualizing and organizing the “Village Costumes” float. Because of these many contributions and her years of work, Norma was honored by the City of Pella as its 2010 annual Tulip Time Service Award winner.
In 2008, Norma established the Peter G. & Norma L. Gaass Endowed Scholarship at Central, endowing as well, the Presidential Suite on the campus. She was a dedicated fan of Central College football, regularly attending both home and away games for many years.
Early Monday morning, January 23, 2012, Norma passed away peacefully in the Long Term Care Unit at the Pella Regional Health Center having just recently observed her 90th birthday. She leaves to mourn her passing her children: Janis (James) Patton of Phoenix, Arizona; Karen Gaass of Denver, Colorado, and David (Dawn) Gaass of Denver; her son-in-law, Kenneth Robus of Eddyville, Iowa; her adored 10 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren: Susan (Douglas) Winegardner and four children, of Pleasant Hill, Iowa; Deborah (Jay) Sunderman and three children of Pella; Richard Robus and two children of Waukee, Iowa; Jill (Chad) Monson and three children, of Phoenix; Benjamin (Melanie) Patton and three children, of Phoenix; Sarah Reynolds and daughter, of Denver; Nicholas Jennings of Denver; Alexandria, Jesse and Gabrielle Gaass of Denver. Norma will also be missed greatly by her three nieces and a nephew: Artis Reis (Mark Smith), Martie Van Roekel (Greg Babler), Bill (Jan) Van Roekel and Ruth (Dave) Bowman. She was preceded in death by her husband, Peter G. Gaass; her daughter, Pamela K. Robus; her parents, Clarence and Ione Goodell; her sister & brother-in-law, Geraldine & John Van Roekel; her parents-in-law, George G. and Bess (Scholte) Gaass; and her sister-in-law, Leonora G. (Gaass) Van Dellen Hettinga.
BARBARA JEAN MARVELLI
Visitation:
Tuesday, January 24, 2012, 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM
Winfield Funeral home, 202 E. Washington St., Knoxville, IA 50138
Service:
Wednesday, January 25, 2012, 10:30 AM, First United Methodist Church, Knoxville, IA 50138
Barbara Jean Marvelli of Knoxville passed away on Saturday January 21, 2012, at the Hospice comfort House in Pella. She was born to Coy and Barbara Grace (Wilson) Glover.
Barbara was a receptionist for over 10 years at Super 8 Motel in Knoxville. She was a lifelong member of the Church of God and entertained many denominations of churches with her singing; she enjoyed antiques, was an avid collector and frequently published poems in the Knoxville Journal. Barbara was a very giving person. She adopted and cleaned on her daily walk two miles of “Old Highway 92”; She was always fashionable, forever young at heart and with an eternal smile.
Barbara is survived by her children Rick Marvelli of Knoxville, Freddie Gene (Ann) Marvelli of Norwalk, Lisa Kay (Steve) Welch of Clive, Rockie Lee Marvelli and Gina Marie Robinson both of Knoxville; 10 grandchildren Levi, Adeline, Aimme, Travis, Logan, Kiley, Cassidy, Cody, Jordyn, and Brandon; and one great grandchild Abrielle. Barbara is also survived by her sister Beatrice Kay (Fred) Mick of Pella.
She is preceded in death by her parents Coy and Barbara Grace; her sister Betty Burns and her brother J.C. Glover. Barbara is also preceded by her granddaughter Leah Grace
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at the First United Methodist Church in Knoxville with Rev. Raymond Bettis and Rev. Lane Riggle officiating. A private family burial will follow the luncheon at Greenwood Cemetery also of Knoxville.
Visitation for Barb will be held from 2:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M., Tuesday at the Winfield Funeral Home in Knoxville. Barb’s family will be present from 6 to 8:00 P.M. Tuesday evening.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the Knoxville Church of God.
DIRKIE BANDSTRA
Dirkie Bandstra, 97, of Oskaloosa, died Jan. 21. Funeral services will be on Tues, Jan. 24, at 1:30 p.m. at Second Christian Reformed Church in Pella. Visitation will begin at noon on Monday, Jan. 23 at Garden Chapel Funeral Home in Pella where family will be present from 5-7 p.m. Memorials may be designated to the Second Christian Reformed Church Missions or Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance.
Dirkie Bandstra was born on July 30, 1914. She was the fourth of twelve children born to Dirk and Jennie (Bruxvoort) Vos. At that time the family was living in rural Killduff, Jasper County, Iowa. Dirkie passed away Saturday, January 21, 2012, at the Crystal Heights Care Center in Oskaloosa, Iowa at the age of ninety-seven.
Dirkie attended Sully Christian Grade School. She made profession of her faith at an early age at the Sully Christian Reformed Church.
In her younger years, she worked as a nanny, doing housework and caring for children, including in the homes of the Rev. Griffioen in Sully and Rev. Monsma in Pella.
Dirkie met William (Bill) Bandstra when her family moved to the Pella area and joined the Second Christian Reformed Church. They were married on February 15, 1940, at her parents' home near Pella. This union was blessed with five children: Larry Duane, Stanley Eugene, Marcella Jeanne, Peter William, and Sandra Ellen.
As a family they farmed in the Otley, Pella, and Harvey areas before moving to their home on Franklin Street in Pella. Bill and Dirkie enjoyed being custodians at the Second Christian Reformed Church for several years before retiring. At the present time her home was the Crystal Heights Care Center in Oskaloosa, Iowa, where she lovingly helped care for her husband until he went home to be with his Lord.
Faith and family came first in her life, as she was a very devoted wife and mother and received great happiness in loving her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Dirkie enjoyed baking and loved to have her family and friends join them for "coffee-time."
Dirkie was a faithful member of the Second Christian Reformed Church in Pella, a long-time member of the former Golden Hour Society, and the Priscilla Society.
Among those who will cherish her memory are her children and spouses: Larry and Linda Bandstra of rural Harvey, Iowa, Marcie and Gerrit Vander Beek of rural Otley, Iowa, and Sandi and Bryce Bruxvoort of Oskaloosa, Iowa; six grandchildren: Lori and Paul Iverson, Rick and Leora Bandstra, Dan Vander Beek, Cheryl and Steve Gosselink, Tom and Heather Bandstra, and Becki Ford; nine great-grandchildren: Luke and Rachel Iverson, Lindsey Jansen, Laci, Tyler and Brianna Gosselink, Mason and Morgan Ford, and Miranda Bandstra. Also one sister, Laura (Andrew) Slings of Pella; four brothers: Richard (Wilma) Vos, Paul (Marilyn) Vos, Harold (Carolyn) Vos all of Pella, and Marion (Annette) Vos of Grandville, Michigan; sister-in-law Alma (John) Vos of Pella. Also surviving sister-in-law Joyce Bandstra, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Gertrude and Henry Vande Voort; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Preceding Dirkie in death was her husband of sixty-eight years, Bill on November 28, 2008; two sons: Peter William (stillborn) on December 28, 1954 and Stanley Eugene, at the age of twelve years, on July 30 1955; her mother Jennie in 1967; her father Dirk in 1974; three sisters: Helen Vos, Adrianna (Jake) Jansen, and Clazena (Henry) Roelofsen; three brothers: William (Marjorie), Bernie (Johanna) and John Vos; a sister-in-law Marjorie M. Vos and brother-in-law Andrew Slings.
RUTH SQUIBB
Ruth Heerema Squibb, 93, of Pella, died Jan. 15. Funeral services will be Wed., Jan. 18, 1 p.m. at First Reformed Church in Pella. Visitation will begin Tuesday afternoon at Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home where family will be present from 5:30-7:00 p.m. Memorials may be designated for Hospice of Pella.
Ruth Heerema was born on December 31, 1918, in a small house in Pella, Iowa. Her parents, Pieter and Jeneka (Vander Beek) Heerema had six children, Ruth being the third from the oldest. Ruth’s education began at Lincoln School in Pella where she attended Kindergarten through 6th grade. Jr. High was on an upper level at old Webster School and she graduated from Pella High School in the spring of 1936. During her senior year in high school she was honored for being an attendant to Pella’s First Tulip Queen, Lenora Gaass. Sundays were a special treat to Ruth while growing up. She went to church with her Mother in the mornings and with her Dad in the evenings. Ruth was baptized at the First Reformed Church and made profession of her faith at the age of 14 years. In the fall of 1936 Ruth started dating a boy by the name of Darwin G. Squibb. They met at a skating party in the Central College gym. Ruth and Squibb, as he was known, both attended Central College and Ruth graduated in 1938 with 2 years of Normal Training. She taught school for two years in Garden Grove, Iowa and then came back to Pella and worked as a cashier at the J.C. Penney Store. After four years of dating, Ruth and Squibb were married on Christmas Day, December 25, 1940, at the home of her parents. Squibb worked at the Rolscreen Company and was drafted into the military service during World War II. He was inducted into active duty after their first child, Dennis Duane, was born on March 26, 1943, so Ruth moved to Hub City, California to be with him. In April, 1945, Ruth was summoned back to Pella to be with her Mother, Jeneke Heerema, who was dying of cancer. In July, 1946, she and Squibb returned to California where they resided until he was discharged. After coming back to Pella they had two more beautiful children, David Bruce on September 8, 1947 and Janice Ruth on November 22, 1953. Squibb worked as a meat cutter for De Winter Meat Market and Van’s Grocery. Later he went into business with her brother, Fred Heerema, and Virgil Vander Linden at the Super Valu Grocery Store, while Ruth returned to teaching. Ruth and Squibb had a good married life together and had many good times camping together as a family and as a couple. Just when they had raised their family and were ready to enjoy some traveling, Squibb had a massive heart attack at the age of 56 years and passed away on July 8, 1974. Following his death, Ruth finished her education with night school and summer school and taught Remedial reading for 11 years at Webster and Lincoln Schools in Pella. After retiring Ruth traveled and enjoyed visiting her sons and their families. She loved spending time with her daughter and family and any chance she had to be with her granddaughters to read and play games with, she took time for them. Any morning you would stop to see Ruth; she would be working on the Jumble in the Des Moines Register. Ruth also had a love of knitting and would have a pair of knitting needles in her hands working on dishcloths, hangers and especially making sweaters for Guideposts for children all over the world. She lost track after a 100. Ruth continued to live in the home they had built at 907 Columbus Street until moving into a condo. She later resided at Fair Haven East and the Hilltop Manor and presently the Long Term Care Unit at the Pella Regional Health Center. She was married to her husband whom she dearly loved for 33½ years and had been a widow for 37½ years. On Sunday afternoon, January 15, 2012, she passed away peacefully with her daughter and her family at her side at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House in Pella having just observed her 93rd birthday. Her three children and their spouses, 6 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren have been very special to her and have given her the love that has kept her going. They and their families are:
Dennis and Ann (Conaway) Squibb of Grand Junction, Colorado
Donna Squibb of Denver, Colorado
Wendi and Kern Lodwig of Lakewood, Colorado
Jacob, Elijah Lodwig
Shane and Michelle Squibb of Colorado Springs, Colorado
Madison, Justin Squibb
David and Janice (Yalin) Squibb of Florence, South Carolina
Margeaux Squibb
Dawson Squibb
Janice and Larry Van Maanen of Leighton, Iowa
Mandy and Nate Franje of Clive, Iowa
Sean Franje
Sarah and Jeremy Hartson of Leighton, Iowa
Taylor, Jacob, Hope and Judah Hartson
Ruth was the last surviving member of her original family and leaves just one sister-in-law; Elva May (Van Houweling) Heerema of Pella. She was preceded in death by her husband, Darwin G. Squibb; her parents, Jeneke and Pieter Heerema and her step-mother, Dena (Pieter) Heerema; her parents-in-law, William and Mary (Meyers) Squibb; all her brothers and sister and their spouses: Martin Heerema, Robert and Viola (Kaldenberg) Heerema, Fred and Pauline (Halterman) Heerema, Ralph and Frances (Beilema) Heerema, Bernice and Charles Vander Ploeg; and a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Bernice (Squibb) and Dwayne Dillavou. Ruth thanks God for the family, relatives and friends he had placed in her life. She loved God, her church and the beauty of God’s creation.
“I have learned to forget my troubles, remember my blessings and strengthen my faith.”
ANNA DEWEERD
Anna DeWeerd, 86, of Pella, died Jan. 13. Funeral services will be Monday, Jan. 16, at 3:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Third Reformed Church. Visitation will be from 1:30 until the time of service, at the Church's Old Testament Room. Memorials may be designated for Hospice of Pella. Garden Chapel Funeral Home, Pella
Anna De Weerd was born September 6, 1925 to Bill and Grace Kamminga De Groot in Middleburg, Iowa. She passed away Friday, January 13, 2012 at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House at the age of eighty-six.
On April 17, 1946 Anna was united in marriage with Dick De Weerd at the Middleburg Christian Reformed Church in Middleburg, Iowa. To this union three children were born: Beverly Ann, Judith Ann, and David Alan.
Anna and Dick owned and operated a grocery store for fourteen years in Carmel, Iowa. After they sold the store, the couple moved to Pella where they purchased the Dutch Mill Motel operating it for thirteen years.
Anna was a member of the Third Reformed Church in Pella. Anna's many talents included knitting, crocheting, tatting and playing the organ and piano.
Anna is survived by her son-in-law Bill Quick, two granddaughters: Brenda Johnston and her husband Gary of Prairie City and Elizabeth Quick of Pleasant Hill; two great-grandsons: Hayden and Justin Johnston; and three sisters: Priscilla Broek of Sioux Center, Iowa, Harriet (Gerald) Kroese of Hull, Iowa, and Audrey (Mike) Fedders of George, Iowa.
Preceding her in death were her husband, Dick, in 2005; her children: Beverly in 2010, Judith who died at birth, and David who died at the age of twenty-seven.
GLENN VAN HEUKELOM
Glenn Van Heukelom, 73, of Pella, died Jan. 11. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 16 at Hearland Reformed Church in Pella. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. till noon on Sunday, Jan. 15 at Garden chapel Funeral Home in Pella, and from 1-6 p.m. at the Church with family present from 2-4 p.m. Memorials may be designated for the Children's Ministry of Heartland Reformed Church in Pella.
Glenn E. Van Heukelom was born on May 13, 1938 to Louis and Julia Vander Schaaf Van Heukelom in Oskaloosa, Iowa. He passed away Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at the Pella Regional Health Center at the age of seventy-three.
Glenn graduated from Pella High School with the class of 1956.
Glen met Wanda Van Norden on a blind date and they were united in marriage on July 28, 1959 in Sully, Iowa. They were blessed with seven children: Louie, Donnie, Duane, John, Beth, Dave, and Ruth.
Glenn and Wanda raised their family on the family Century Farm in the Leighton area where they farmed for fifty-five years, retiring in the fall of 2011.
He loved the farm life and also enjoyed traveling, attending racing events, woodworking for his children and grandchildlren. He will be remembered for his laugh, teasing, and always having a smile for his grandchildren. He was dearly loved by his family.
Those left to cherish his memory are: his wife of fifty-two years, Wanda; his seven children; twenty-two grandchildren; one great-grandchild; his sister, Mary (Carl) Tysseling of Pella; his brother, Lawrence (Lois) Van Heukelom of Des Moines; and three aunts, Alda Mae Hoekstra, Elizabeth Van Zante, and Marge Van Hemert.
Preceding him in death are his parents.
Family:
Wife: Wanda Van Heukelom – Pella
Louie Van Heukelom – Pella
Walter
Donnie and Tammy Van Heukelom – Pella
Danielle, Joshua, Dylan, Landen
Duane and Angie Van Heukelom – Colfax
Olivia
John and Tammy Van Heukelom – Leighton
Alex and his daughter, Madison
Jack, Megan, Hannah, Andrea, Jesse
Beth and Woody Fisher – Pella
Micheal, Ashley, Jake, Zak
Dave and Terri Van Heukelom – Pella
Lori, Seth
Ruth and Steve Johnson
Kaden, Cassidy, Ella, Emma
ARTIE ZWANK
Artie Elizabeth Blom Zwank, 99, formerly of Sully, died January 10. Funeral services will be Friday, January 13, 10:30 a.m. at Sully Christian Reformed Church. Visitation will follow the funeral service on Friday at the Church. Memorials may be designated for the Sully Christian Grade School. Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home
Artie Elizabeth Blom was born northwest of Sully, Iowa on October 27, 1912. She was the youngest of six children that were born to Gysbert and Eelke (Ver Vooren) Blom. Artie attended the Sully Christian Grade School and graduated from the 8th grade in May 1927. On October 18, 1952, she and Bennie Zwank, a son of Jacob and Nellie (Vos) Zwank, were united in marriage at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. Artie and Bennie’s three children, Jeanetta Gertrude, Jacob Abraham, and Nellie Faye, who were from his previous marriage to Jennie Vos, were at Bennie’s bedside when he passed away on September 6, 1965, at the age of 69 years. Following his sudden death Artie continued working at the Midwest Metal Stamping Factory in Kellogg, Iowa for over 36 years. She continued to live in Sully and then did housework and baby sitting. She enjoyed working with her flowers and in her garden and biking. Artie road her bicycle until she was 86 years old. In April 2006, Artie became a resident at Jefferson Place in Pella, Iowa. She was cared for there the remainder of her lifetime and passed away Tuesday morning January 10, 2012, prior to her 100th birthday. Artie is survived by a step-daughter, Nellie Faye (Walton) De Cook of Oskaloosa, Iowa, a step-daughter-in-law and her husband, Dorothy (Jacob Zwank) and Lynn Kleinendorst of Newton, Iowa; five step-grandchildren: Linda Dunwoody, Randy Dunwoody, Gary De Cook, Terry De Cook, and Kristy Zimmerman; and several nieces and nephews. Artie was preceded in death by her husband, Bennie Zwank; a step-daughter and her husband, Jeanetta and Glen Dunwoody, her step-son, Jacob Zwank, and a son-in-law, Walton De Cook; her parents, Gysbert and Eelke Blom; her two sisters and their husbands, Marie and Ray Buitenwerf, Drieka and John Van Gennep; and her three brothers and their wives: Tunis and Jennie Blom, John and Leota Blom, Gysbert (Guy) and Tillie Blom. Artie enjoyed playing in the kitchen band. She read her Bible faithfully and was a lifetime member of the Sully Christian Reformed Church in Sully, Iowa.
LAMMIE VAN DEN BROEK
Lammie Van Den Broek, 80, of Pella died Jan. 10. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 13, at First Christian Reformed Church in Pella. Visitation will begin at noon on Thursday at Garden Chapel Funeral Home in Pella, where family will be present from 5-7 p.m. Memorials may be designated for the First Christian Reformed Church's Mission or Quilt Ministry.
Lammie Van Den Broek, daughter of Thys Fledderus and Frederika Reinders, was born in Diever, Drenthe, The Netherlands. She passed away at the Oskaloosa Care Center on Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at the age of eighty.
On January 17, 1952, Lammie was united in marriage to Teunis Van Den Broek in The Netherlands. Shortly after their marriage they moved to the United States and became U.S. citizens on April 29, 1957.
Lammie and Teunis farmed in the Leighton area for thirty-one years. Lammie enjoyed being a housewife and caring for their seven children: Cornie, Fred, Jean, Theo, Willis, Kenneth, and Rita.
Lammie and Teunis were members of the Leighton Christian Reformed Church and later the First Christian Reformed Church in Pella. Lammie was active in the Gideon's Auxiliary and the Mary of Bethany Society. She enjoyed gardening, tending her flower garden, baking, knitting, raising chickens, reading her Bible, listening to Christian radio, and family time, especially spending time with her grandchildren.
Those left to cherish her memory are: her seven children; nine grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; three brothers and two sisters living in The Netherlands; sister-in-law, Ria Branderhorst of Pella; and many in-laws in the Netherlands and Canada.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Teunis, in 1990.
Lammie will be remembered for her patience, for how she endured and persevered through hard times, and for raising her children in Christian ways and life.
Family:
Cornie and Bonnie Van Den Broek – New Sharon, Iowa
Teresa (Jason) Rens
Joshua, Haley
Rachel Van Den Broek
Fred and Sandy Van Den Broek -- Otley, Iowa
Stacy (Mark) Boender
Ethan, Amelia, Elijah, Anton, Allison
Angela (Daniel) Wieland
Ben
Alex (Katie) Van Den Broek
Logan
Jean Van Den Broek – Fairfield, Iowa
Steve (Nicole) Van Wyk
Kahsen, Lynnzae
Theo and Eve Van Den Broek – Pella, Iowa
Willis and Becky Van Den Broek – Prairie City, Iowa
Megan Van Den Broek
Jesse Van Den Broek
Ryan Van Den Broek
Kenneth Van Den Broek – Pella, Iowa
Rita Vande Lune – Omaha, Nebraska
RUTH DYKSTRA
Ruth M. Van Waadhuizen Dykstra, 83 of Otley, died Jan. 9. Funeral services will be Thursday, Jan. 12, 1:30 p.m. at Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home in Pella. Visitation will be Wed. from 5:30-7 at the Funeral Home.
Ruth Marie Van Waardhuizen was born on September 14, 1928, near Cordova, Iowa. She was the fourth of five children that were born to Arie and Mae Elizabeth (Kool) Van Waardhuizen. While growing up on her family farm in Cordova she attended the Fairview Country School. After completing her formal education she continued to live and help out on the family farm until her marriage to Melvin Lee Dykstra on February 12, 1947.
Ruth had met Melvin on several occasions as children, but they didn't start to date until early 1946. Ruth and Melvin called many places home as they pursued their passion to live the American dream. Although they lived in many central Iowa cities they returned to the Dykstra family Century Farm in 1979.
During their 65 years of marriage they were blessed with 5 children; Nancy, John, Randy, Connie and Bonnie; 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grand children.
Ruth was a dedicated and hard-working employee for the the Maytag Company in Newton, Iowa for 32 years. After her retirement from Maytag in 1982, she decided to return to work and was employed by the Town Crier until January of 2011. Ruth's first interest was her family but she also enjoyed embroidery, traveling, her beloved pets and birds, plants and flowers and a true love for the outdoors.
In August 2011, Ruth was diagnosed with Follicular Lymphoma. She fought the battle for several months but succumbed to the disease while being cared for at the Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa on Monday morning, January 9, 2012, at the age of 83.
Those who will cherish her memory are her husband for 65 years, Melvin Dykstra; their five children and their spouses, 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. They are:
Nancy and Neil Russell
Ian and Sara Russell
Aiden and Gavin
Peter and Jess Russell
Josephine
John and Barbara Dykstra
Darrell and Christi Dykstra
Elizabeth and Abigail
Amanda and Matt Wessel
Breanne and Jocelyn
Randy and Lisa Dykstra
Chris and Kristy Dykstra
Kaylee
Ronnie and Lacie Dykstra
Chase, Lance and Collin
Kelly and Mike Rolniak
Johnathan and Shelby
Connie Dykstra
Jeff and Laura Dykstra
Evan
Bonnie and Bob Losoff
Haley, Elijah and Hannah
Ruth also leaves one brother, Ervin Van Waardhuizen and his wife Carolyn. She will also be missed by her many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Arie and Mae Van Waardhuizen; two brothers and their wives: Arie Junior and Janet Van Waardhuizen, Elmer and Patricia Van Waardhuizen; her sister and her husband, Dorothy and Ralph Swank; and her parents-in-law, Ralph and Marie (Eeling) Dykstra.
Ruth will be remembered as a loving wife, mommy, grandma and great-grandma. There are not enough words to define how much she will be missed by her family and friends. Our lives will forever be changed because of her and because she is no longer with us.
LUCILLE EVENHOUSE
Lucille Evenhouse, age 91, went to be with her Lord on January 6, 2012 at The Comfort House of Pella, Iowa. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Friday, January 13 at 2:30 p.m. in the lower level of Hilltop Manor where she lived among friends for the past five years. An Open House will follow the service; the family will be present until 5 p.m.
Lucille leaves children Barbara Mulder and Ginger Bilthuis of Grand Rapids, MI, and John and Kathie Evenhouse of Pella, IA, ten grandchildren, and fourteen great-granchildren. She was married to Clarence (deceased) for 64 years. She will be remembered for her gracious, giving spirit and love of life. Memorials may be given to Hospice of Pella.
NELLIE VANDER MOLEN
Nellie K. Van Wyk Vander Molen, 99, formerly of Peoria, died Dec. 31. Funeral services will be Wednesday, Jan. 4, 1:30 p.m. at Peoria Christian Reformed Church in Peoria. Visitation will begin after noon on Tuesday at Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home, where family will be present from 5-7 p.m. Memorials may be designated for the Peoria Christian School or the eoria Christian reformed Church.
Nellie Kathryn Van Wyk was born on July 31, 1912, on a farm between Peoria and New Sharon, Iowa. She was the oldest of seven children that were born to Lambert and Bertha (Vos) Van Wyk. Nellie was baptized and made profession of her faith at the Peoria Christian Reformed Church in Peoria. When she was 26 years of age, she married Jacob Vander Molen, a son of Martin and Tillie (Ozinga) Vander Molen, on February 15, 1939. Nellie and Jake rented farms near Peoria for seven years. During this time their first two children were born: Twylla Bess and Larry Willis. Three years later Jake had an opportunity to start a small hog buying business and the family moved into Peoria and in 1946 Peoria Stockyards was started. At this time their third child, Maryan Ruth, was born. As Peoria Stockyards continued to grow, Nellie’s responsibilities were then to help keep the offices clean. Nellie continued to maintain a large garden and was a very busy wife, mother, seamstress and homemaker. In 1971 Jake and Nell sold Peoria Stockyards and officially retired in 1998. Nellie graciously retired even though she still enjoyed mending and sewing. They moved into an apartment in Pella, Iowa in 1987 and eventually became residents at the Hilltop Manor. Jake passed away on June 29, 2002, in the Long Term Care Unit at the Pella Regional Health Center in Pella at the age of 87 years. Nellie continued to reside in Pella at Vriendschap Village and Long Term Care at the Pella Regional Health Center until becoming a resident at Crystal Heights Care Center in Oskaloosa, Iowa on January 1, 2010, where she passed away on December 31, 2011, just 7 months prior to her 100th birthday. Nellie was blessed with three children and their spouses, 20 grandchildren, and 36 great-grandchildren.
Her family was her pride and joy and they are:
Twylla B. and Willard Nieboer of Jenison, Michigan
Kimberlee and Raymond Herzog
Jacob William, Samuel Paul Nieboer,
and Anneke Rachel Dawn Herzog
Michelle and Bradley Busscher
Brianna Marie, Ashten Elise, Alexander Blaise Nieboer, and Braeden Michael Nieboer Busscher
Jacquelyn and Michael Fiss
Jackson Bennett, James Alexander II, Willem Sebastian, and Avery Caroline Fiss
Larry W. and Linda (Vande Voort) Vander Molen of Pella, Iowa
Tim and Verna Vander Molen
Shelby Dawn, Levi Jacob, Sophia Lin
and Lincoln Henry Vander Molen
Todd and Angela Vander Molen
Ashley Rae, Anna Elise, Abigail Leigh, Adrienne LouAnn, and Toby Todd Vander Molen
Troy and Steph Vander Molen
Kade Allen, Ty Joseph and Claire Elizabeth Vander Molen
Tricia and Jon Heinen
Maclane David, Morgan Joann, Maggie Lin
and Maddux Jon Heinen
Maryan R. and Guy De Haan of Pella, Iowa
Kory and Rachel De Haan
Kendy LeeAnn, Reese Jaymin and Delaney Rae De Haan
Kara and Jason Smit
Haley Marie, Jenna Noel and Kolton Jay Smit
Kamela and Mike Roozeboom
Brynn Camille, Laurel Ann and Hannah Noelle Roozeboom
Nellie is survived by one sister, Ila Ozinga of Pella, Iowa, and a sister-in-law, Leona Van Wyk of New Sharon, Iowa; along with the following sisters-in-law and brother-in-law: Rachel (Vander Molen) and Case Vander Hart, Martena (Vander Molen) De Groot and Sylvia (Cecil Vander Molen) Langstraat all of Pella. She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; the following sisters and brothers and their spouses: Wilma and Gerrit Bokhoven, John H. and Grace Van Wyk, Gretta and Ben Veenstra, Harry and Cathryn Van Wyk, Lester Van Wyk and Harold Ozinga; her parents-in-law; and the following sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Margaret (Vander Molen) and Cornelius Boerefyn, Anne (Vander Molen) and Ralph Corbin, Cecil Vander Molen, William and Leona Vander Molen, Ben and Christina Van Der Molen, Louis and Mabel Van Der Molen, Raymond De Groot, Lilla “Dee” Bokhoven and Tony Langstraat. Nellie was a lifelong, faithful member of the Peoria Christian Reformed Church in Peoria, Iowa. Devotion to her Lord and her family were her greatest priorities in life and her family thanks God for a long life.
JUNIOR VOS
Dick Junior Vos, 84, of Sully, died Dec. 31. Funeral services will be Wed., Jan. 4, 10:30 a.m. at Sully Christian Reformed Church. Visitation will begin after 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Church, where family will be present from 4-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials be given for Skiff Hospice in Newton, or the Gideon's Intenational. Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home
Dick Junior Vos was born south of Sully, Iowa on December 5, 1927. He was one of seven children that were born to Minnie (Roelofsen) Vos and Dick John Vos, who was born in the Netherlands. His parents farmed in the Sully and Kellogg, Iowa vicinities where Junior, as he was known, attended Sully Christian Grade School and worked on the farm. On August 25, 1949, he was united in marriage with Berdena Evelyn Jansen, a daughter of Evert and Gertie (Fopma) Jansen, at the Sully Christian Reformed Church in Sully. To this union five children were born: James Eugene, Steven Lavern, Carol Sue, Jeffrey Lee and Bradley Dean. Junior and Berdena lived and farmed with his father and mother on the home place until his parents moved into Sully in 1966. At the same time Junior drove truck for Van Wyk Freight Lines at Grinnell, Iowa and was employed at Cross Implement in Killduff, Iowa. During this time he was active with the Jasper County Cattlemen’s Association and the Pork Producers; and he was a member of the Farm Bureau and the Kellogg Lion’s Club in Kellogg, Iowa. Junior put in his last farm crop in 1987 at which time they later relocated into Sully. However, Junior never fully retired. He did grounds maintenance work at the Diamond Trail Golf Course in Lynnville, Iowa while learning to play golf, and most recently made deliveries for Janco Industries, Inc. in Sully. Junior acquired the name of "Fabrication Steel Transportation Engineer" and worked just three days during year 2011 until he became ill. On old year’s evening, December 31, 2011, he passed away in the presence of his family in the Monarch Wing at Skiff Medical Center in Newton, Iowa at the age of 84 years. Junior’s needs were attended to by his caring wife of 62 years, Berdena, an Emergency Room Technician at Skiff Medical Center in Newton for 32 years.
She and her five children, their spouses, 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren will cherish his memory. They and their families are:
Jim and Nancy (Stewart) Vos of Sully, Iowa
Donald and Mya Vos of Sully, Iowa
Tara, Zach
Jeromy Stewart of Des Moines, Iowa
Susan Stewart of Melcher, Iowa
RaeAnna, Jayden
Steve and Diane (Ver Ploeg) Vos of Sully, Iowa
Mark and Angela Vos of Johnston, Iowa
Kyra, Haley, Isabella and Claire
Michelle and Fred Sylvia of Ames, Iowa
Carol and Teryl Ver Ploeg of Sully, Iowa
Erin and Corey Jansen of Ankeny, Iowa
Harrison, Miles
Amber and Jason Zylstra of Pleasant Hill, Iowa
Jeff and Lori (Nearmyer) Vos of Newton, Iowa
Kelsey Vos of Newton, Iowa
Brad and Bonnie (Claseman) Vos of Newton, Iowa
Jaycie Vos of Newton, Iowa
Amy Vos of Newton, Iowa
Junior is survived by his three sisters and their husbands: Evelyn (Ivan) Zylstra of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Joanne and Albert Haan, Arlene and Raymond Haan all of Denver, Colorado; and the following brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Charlie and Cornelia Jansen of Cutlerville, Michigan, Guysbert and Janet Jansen of Pella, Iowa, Nelson (Doris Jansen) Geels of Sully, Edwin and Arlyn Jansen of Cutlerville, Michigan, Wilma (Jansen) and Delmer Van Kooten of Pella, Melvin and Marilyn Jansen of Newton, Iowa. Junior was preceded in death by an infant granddaughter, Tina Marie Vos; his parents, Dick J. and Minnie Vos; two sisters and one brother who died in infancy; his brother-in-law Ivan Zylstra; his parents-in-law, Evert and Gertie Jansen; and a sister-in-law, A. Doris (Jansen) Geels. Junior made profession of his faith at the Sully Christian Reformed Church in Sully when he was 20 years of age and remained a lifelong, faithful member. Junior and Berdena enjoyed taking vacations in later years and following their grandchildren’s activities. Junior restored a 1951 Case tractor and maintained a lifelong interest in old time machinery and horses. Junior was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was a good friend to many and will be greatly missed.
SARA ROSE VANDER BEEK
Sara Rose Vander Linden Vander Beek, 89, formerly of Sully, died Dec. 27. Funeral services will be Friday, Dec. 30, at 11 a.m. in the First Reformed Church in Sully. Visitation will begin after 3 pm on Thursday at the church, where family will be present from 5-7 p.m. Memorials may be designated for the First Reformed Church in Sully. Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home
Sara Rose Vander Linden was born on August 14, 1922, near Pella, Iowa. She was an only daughter of Luke H. and Grace (Bogaard) Vander Linden and had an older brother, Kenneth Herman. Her parents were members of the First Reformed Church in Pella where she was baptized and made profession of her faith at an early age. Sara Rose attended the Pella Public Schools and graduated from Pella High School with the Class of 1939. During high school she excelled in typing which ultimately proved to be a skill she continued to use all her working life. Sara Rose and Abraham Hubert Vander Beek, a member of the 1939 Class at Sully High School in Sully, Iowa, were united in marriage on September 30, 1943, at Pella. Shortly after their marriage Abe was drafted into the United States Army during World War II, and to this union two children were born: Dennis Lee and Shirley Kay. Sara Rose and Abe raised their family in Sully, Iowa while Abe worked in the hatchery business with his father, Antonie P.Vander Beek, and later for the Sully Cooperative Exchange. In the early 1960’s Sara Rose became the first fulltime employed secretary for the First Reformed Church in Sully. She served faithfully in this capacity with the following Senior Pastors: Rev. Harold Kammeraad, Rev. Wayne Tripp, Rev. Wayne Sneller, Rev. B. Daniel Hakken, and Rev. Roger Punt; along with the following Associate Pastors: Rev. Ralph Menning and Rev. Brice Hoyt for 40 years. Sara Rose was also given musical talents. She sang as a soloist, in small musical groups, and with the church choir. She also served as a church organist and pianist for various musical groups, including a quartet her husband, Abe, sang with. Her service beyond the church included her involvement with the Central College Auxiliary in Pella. While working as the church secretary, her husband, Abe, passed away unexpectedly on December 2, 1981, at the age of 59 years. Sara Rose remained faithful to the church and her Heavenly Father and for nine consecutive years read through the entire Bible. In 2004 she relocated to Pella, Iowa living at the Pella Manor and then at Hilltop Manor. In September, 2009, she became a resident at the Oskaloosa Care Center in Oskaloosa, Iowa where she passed away Tuesday, December 27, 2011, at the age of 89 years.Those who will cherish her memory are her two children and their families: Dennis and Linda ( Geerts) Vander Beek of Oskaloosa and their two children: Amy Lynn and her husband, Roy Bailey, and Kristy Dawn Vander Beek; Shirley and George Ashman of Oskaloosa and their two sons: Derek Lee Ashman and Clint William Ashman and his three sons: Isaiah, Josiah and Jeremiah Ashman. Sara Rose was the last surviving member of her original family and leaves two sisters-in-law: Pearl (Vander Beek) Terpstra presently of Grinnell, Iowa and Sylvia (Vander Beek) Van Genderen of Sully. She was preceded in death by her husband, Abe Vander Beek; her parents, Luke and Grace Vander Linden; her parents-in-law, A. P (Tone) and Tunnie (Goemaat) Vander Beek and Irene (A. P.) Vander Beek; her brother, Kenneth H. Vander Linden and his wife, Carolyn (Roorda); and the following sister-in-law and brothers-in-law: Verna (Vander Beek) and Glen Elscott, Nelson Terpstra and Claris Van Genderen; along with her two nephews: Leo Vander Linden and Howard Westerkamp. ?She willingly shared her musical talents God had given her and will be remembered by her family and many friends for using these talents to the Glory of God.
LE ROY BAUGHMAN
LeRoy Baughman, 82, of Knoxville, died Dec. 28. Funeral services will be Friday, Dec. 30, at 2 p.m. at Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home in Pella. Visitation will begin after 3 p.m. on Thursday, with family present from 5-7 at the funeral home. Memorials may be designated for the Hospice of Pella Comfort House.
Le Roy Baughman was born to his parents, Orval and Jeanette (Schakel) Baughman, on a farm southwest of Pella, Iowa on February 20, 1929. Le Roy attended both West and East Amsterdam country grade schools near Pella. He graduated from Pella High School as the valedictorian of the Class of 1946 when he was just 17 years old. After graduation Le Roy began working at the Rolscreen Company in Pella and then was drafted into the United States Army during the Korean War. Already then his numerical gifts were evident and utilized as he served as a bookkeeper for a General. Following his two year obligation with the Army he returned into the employ of the Rolscreen Company. Le Roy worked in the accounting and finance department at Pella Corporation as a fulltime employee for 46 years and as a part-time employee for 6 additional years. He proved to be a self-educated individual and a self-made man. Le Roy earned the respect he deserved as a trusted assistant to the Peter H. and Lucille Kuyper family. At an early age he enjoyed watching movies and in later years worked at the movie theater in Pella. He was a multigenerational friend to many, was faithful in writing letters to family and friends and was an avid reader. Le Roy valued his independence while residing on his acreage southwest of Pella. On Wednesday morning, December 28, 2011, he passed away at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House in Pella at the age of 82 years following a very brief illness. Le Roy was a brother to his sisters: Caroline J. Smith of Oskaloosa, Iowa and Vera D. Horman of Pella; an uncle to his nieces Cheryl De Heer of Otley, Iowa, Shelby Allgood of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Darla Horman and her husband, Chris Spurgeon of Columbia, Missouri, and to his nephew, Lyle Horman of Pella; and to his great-nephew and great-nieces: Arlan De Heer of Otley, Lechelle Flitsch of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Leslie Clauson of Cedar Rapids. Le Roy was preceded in death by his parents, Orval and Jeanette Baughman; his brothers-in-law: John Smith and Marion (Pete) Horman; and a great-niece, Kara De Heer. During both his working life and in retirement he kept up with his special friends in Newton, Iowa, in Pella, and beyond. Le Roy’s keen observations and wry wit will be treasured by those friends who came to know this unique man.
PAULINE VAN ZEE
G. Pauline Witzenburg Van Zee, 93, of Pella, died Dec. 22. Funeral services will be Monday, Dec. 26, 5 p.m. at Otley Reformed Church in Otley. Visitation will be Monday from noon until 3 pm at Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home in Pella. Visitation with family will follow the funeral service at the Church. Memorials may be designated for the Otley Reformed Church.
John A. and Grace (Fennema) Witzenburg gave birth to their only child on March 14, 1918, a daughter whom they ultimately named Gertrude Pauline. She was born in Marion County near Otley, Iowa. Pauline, as she preferred to be known, attended the Liberty Corner Country Grade School in Summit Township near Otley and was privileged to graduate from Pella Public High School in Pella, Iowa. While living with her parents on the southwest corner of the city square in Pella, she would often walk around the downtown park. Harold Marvin Van Zee did also and they met and were eventually married on February 25, 1941, at the home of her parents. To this union two children were born: Dorothy Berdene on June 7, 1943 and Paul David on November 19, 1946. Following their marriage Pauline and Harold lived near Monroe, Iowa for two years and then moved to her parents’ farm near Otley. In 1944 they moved across the road to the farm of her grandparents, Gerriet and Allie Dora Fennema, where they built their home in 1964 that was their residence the remainder of their 62 years of married life. Pauline was an integral part of their farming operation as the bookkeeper. In addition, she fulfilled a supporting role with their entertaining and as the world’s best fried chicken cook and angel food cake baker. Both she and Harold enjoyed fishing trips to Canada for over 25 years, and Pauline also enjoyed music and playing her organ. On May 28, 2003, Harold passed away peacefully at his home following a very normal day’s activities of gardening and visiting with friends. Pauline continued living in their home until becoming a resident at the Vriendschap Village and eventually Jefferson Place in Pella. She passed away peacefully with her children at her side on Thursday evening, December 22, 2011, at the Pella Regional Health Center in Pella. She attained the age of 93 years. Those who will cherish her memory are her two children and their spouses, 4 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. They and their families are:
Dorothy B. and Dean North of Monroe, Iowa
Dennis W. and Wanda (Dreesman) North of Monroe, Iowa
Erin North
Brady North
Dara K. and Bill Strohman of Algona, Iowa
Abigail Strohman
Joshua Strohman
Paul D. and Delores (Verwers) Van Zee of Otley, Iowa
Julianne and Todd Visscher of Hull, Iowa
Eric Visscher
Elise Visscher
Bradley and Sarah (Yager) Van Zee of Farmington, Missouri
Arie Van Zee
Elias Van Zee
Pauline was preceded in death by her husband, Harold M. Van Zee; her parents, John and Grace Witzenburg; and her parents-in-law, John H. and Jennie (Vroom) Van Zee; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Elmer G. and Viola (Bogaards) Van Zee; and a nephew, Allen Lee Van Zee. Of the original family Pauline leaves Harold’s two nieces and a nephew. Pauline was a longtime, faithful, contributing member of the Otley Reformed Church where she and her late husband, Harold, were encouragers and supporters of the youth and always welcomed newcomers into the church’s fellowship. Pauline’s first love, however, was her family whom she loved unconditionally.
ELIZABETH VANDER WEERDT
Elizabeth Vander Weerdt, 90, of Pella, died Dec. 18. Funeral services will be Dec. 22 at 10:30 a.m., CalvaryChristian Reformed Church. Visitation will begin at noon on Wed., Dec. 21 with family present from 5-7 p.m. at Garden Chapel Funeral Home in Pella. Memorials may be designated to the Crossroads Prison Ministry.
Elizabeth (Nikkel)Vander Weerdt passed peacefully to her Heavenly Home on Sunday evening, December 18, 2011, at the Pella Regional Health Center after being transported that afternoon from Fair Haven East in Pella.
Elizabeth was born April 28, 1921, on a farm near Sully, Iowa, to the late Marcellas and Annie (Baarda) Nikkel. She had nine siblings. She graduated from the Sully Christian School.
On December 17, 1941, Elizabeth married John Vander Weerdt in Sully, Iowa. The couple farmed near Searsboro, Iowa, most of their sixty years of marriage. They were faithful members of the Sully Christian Reformed Church and Calvary Christian Reformed Church in Pella. They enjoyed traveling, making two trips to the Netherlands and one to Alaska, as well as to many other states. Elizabeth loved flower and vegetable gardening, embroidery, playing Scrabble, and doing word puzzle books. Most of all she cherished attending church services and Bible studies, and recently completed ten years of working with Crossroads Bible Institute. She and her sister, Cornelia, enjoyed playing their harmonicas together. John and Elizabeth moved to Fair Haven in Pella in 1997. John preceded her in death in 2001.
Survivors include two daughters: Karen (Sherwin) Koopmans of Tucson, Arizona, and Lorraine (David) Weavers of Oostburg, Wisconsin; three sons: Dennis (Connie) Vander Weerdt of Grinnell, Iowa, Stan (Bonnie) Vander Weerdt of Searsboro, Iowa, and Randy (Daminika) Vander Weerdt of Sully, Iowa; sixteen grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; twenty-two great-grandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren; three sisters: Cornelia Vander Weerdt of Knoxville, Marcella (Les) Laverman of Sully, Linda (Maurice) Rozendaal of Lynnville; two sisters-in-law: Wilda Nikkel of Sully, Marilyn Nikkel of Sully; and many nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death were two sisters and four brothers: Tillie (Art) Van Manen, James (Sadie) Nikkel, Bernie (Lenora) Nikkel, Polly (Clarence) Laverman, John Nikkel, and Les Nikkel; her brothers-in-law and sister-in-law: Brandt and Jennie Vander Weerdt, Henry Vander Weerdt, Garrett and Anna Hardeman, and Garrit and Isabel Vander Weerdt.
FRANCIS VAN DUSSELDORP
Francis "Bop" Van Dusseldorp, 90, of Pella died December 15. Funeral services will be Tuesday, Dec. 20, 11 a.m. at Otley Reformed Church. Visitation will begin at 2 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 19 at the Otley Reformed Church, with family present from 5-7 p.m. Memorials may be designated for the Gideons, the Otley Reformed Church, or Hospice of Pella. Garden Chapel Funeral Home, Pella
Francis Marion "Bop" Van Dusseldorp was born on May 5, 1921 to Lambartus and Marie Huyser Van Dusseldorp on the family farm near Otley, Iowa. He went to his heavenly home on Thursday, December 15, 2011 at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House at the age of ninety.
Bop received his early education at the Summit Township Country School through the eighth grade. He joined the family in farming and in the wintertime, during World War II, he worked at Maytag Company in Newton building military equipment.
On August 30, 1949 Francis was united in marriage with Evelyn Vander Hart at the Otley Reformed Church. They were blessed with three children: David, Diane, and Steve. Francis and Evelyn lived on the family farm, where Bop was born, until he retired at the age of 76. Their favorite place was their home on the farm.
Francis was a member of the Otley Reformed Church where he was active in the Men's Brotherhood, was a Sunday School teacher, served on the consistory for many years, sang in the choir, and was a member of the men's quartet. He was also active in the Gideons organization. Francis enjoyed his many mission work trips to Annville, Kentucky, Apache, Oklahoma, Brewton, Alabama, and Roma, Texas. He also did a lot of work with Habitat for Humanity, including Winnipeg and Kansas City.
Those left to cherish his memory are: his wife of sixty-two years, Evelyn; his three children and their spouses; 12 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; and his sister Margaret Van Wyk of Prairie City.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother Simon (Margaret) Van Dusseldorop, his sister Ada (Alfred) Van Wyk, and his brother-in-law Gerrit Van Wyk.
Family -
Wife: Evelyn Van Dusseldorp – Pella
David and Beth Van Dusseldorp – Marion
Lisa and Chad Schumacher
Allie & Jayden
Lori and Todd Glynn
Zachary & Clayton
Molly and Trent Lundquist
Taylor
Diane and David Way – Pella
Jonathan Van Ryswyk
David Van Ryswyk
Addison
Breanne and Stephen Patel
Adelaide & Ryland
Sarah and Scott Treft
McKyndree
Ross and Shaniece Way
Rob Way and fiancé Maggie Slechta
Steve and Terry Van Dusseldorp – Pella
Michael Van Dusseldorp
Laurel and Ryan Pangman
Mark Van Dusseldorp
ANNA M. KOOPMANS
Anna Marie DeJong Koopmans, 86, of Pella, died Dec. 14. Funeral services will be Saturday, Dec. 17, 10:30 a.m. at First Reformed Church in Pella. Visitation will be Friday afternoon at Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home in Pella. Memorials may be designtaed for the First Reformed Church in Pella or the Animal Rescue League of Iowa.
Anna Marie De Jong was a daughter of Peter F. and Adrianna (Dieleman) De Jong. She was born on December 22, 1924, north of Pella, Iowa. Anna attended the Sandridge Country Grade School near Pella. On Christmas Day, December 25, 1943, she was united in marriage with Carl Koopmans, an only child of William and Jacoba (Meyers) Koopmans, and to this union one child was born, Patricia Joyce. Anna began working at the Rolscreen Company in Pella when Pat was only 6 months old. She and her husband, Carl, remained loyal employees there the remainder of their married life. Carl passed away March 11, 1973, and following his death, Anna continued working in the folding door department until she retired after working there for 40 years.
Anna remained busy with her hands, quilting, crocheting and knitting. Her daughter and grandchildren have many cherished items of her handwork. When not doing this, Anna enjoyed gardening and was an avid reader who read her Bible faithfully. She was a dedicated sports fan, an avid baseball fan as she followed the Braves and Red Socks among other teams and enjoyed football. She loved to sing and was good to her many friends. On Wednesday morning, December 14, 2011, she passed away at the Pella Regional Health Center in Pella one week prior to her 87th birthday.
Those who will cherish her memory are daughter, Pat (Van Vark) and her husband Ron Terrell, now of Waseca, Minnesota; her two grandchildren: Shaun David Van Vark and his wife, Rhonda, and their two children of Andover, Minnesota and Beth Ann and her husband, Jeff Schut and their seven children of Pella. Of her original family Anna leaves two sisters and a brother: Adrena Mitchell presently of Knoxville, Iowa, William De Jong of Newton, Iowa, Zelda Ruth and her husband, Thomas Liebold of Davenport, Iowa; a sister-in-law, Jean (Jim) De Jong also of Knoxville; and several nieces and nephews who referred to her as ‘Aunt Purr’. Anna was preceded in death by her husband, Carl; her parents, Peter and Jennie De Jong; her parents-in-law, William and Cora Koopmans; and the following brothers and sister: twins who died infancy, Lawrence De Jong, Jim De Jong, Raymond De Jong and Suzanne Nezzle. Anna was a faithful member of the First Reformed Church in Pella, Iowa.
LESTER GROENENBOOM
H. Lester Groenenboom, 87, formerly of Pella, died Dec. 13. Funeral services will be Saturday, Dec. 17, 2 p.m. at Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home in Pella. Visitation will be Friday afternoon. Memorials may be designated for an H. Lester Groenenboom Memorial Fund.
Henry Lester Groenenboom was born on September 23, 1924. He was the youngest of four children that were born to Arie and Helen Marie (Scharff) Groenenboom. He and Irma Mae Shinofield were introduced to each other by mutual friends and were united in marriage on March 31, 1946, in Oskaloosa, Iowa. To this union five children were born: Leslie Ann who was born on June 27, 1947 and died the next day, Gayle Lee who was born on January 6, 1949, Sally Ann on August 4, 1951, Mark Lester on May 11, 1957 and Scott David on November 29, 1959. Les and Irma began their married life farming south of Pella, Iowa. He then operated the Standard Oil Station and Bulk Truck in Pella. He was employed at Lee’s Variety Store in Pella for 4 years and worked at the Rolscreen Company the last ten years of his working years. Les retired in 1986. He and Irma moved to Forsyth, Missouri in 1989. Les enjoyed fishing where ever he was and enjoyed collecting coins. In 2006 they returned to Iowa and made their residence in Pleasantville, Iowa. On Tuesday evening, December 13, 2011, Les passed away at the Pleasant Care Living Center in Pleasantville at the age of 87 years.
He will be dearly missed by his wife of 65 years, Irma; three children and their families: Sally A. Noble of Ames, Iowa, and her two children, Dr. Gary Dean Bridges II. (Jodi) of Ames, and Angela McDermott (Lynn) of Appleton, Wisconsin. Mark L. Groenenboom of Otley, Iowa, and his two sons, Joshua Groenenboom and Jeffrey Groenenboom, Scott D. Groenenboom and his wife, Amy of Leighton, Iowa, and their two sons, Joseph (Serenty) Groenenboom and Samuel Groenenboom; a granddaughter, Rhonda (Bielema) Watkins;and nine great grandchildren. Also a brotherinlaw Gilbert (Cornelia Groenenboom) Van Donselaar of Pella,Iowa. Les and Irma experienced not only the death of their infant daughter, Leslie Ann, but the untimely death of their second child, Gayle L. (Steven J.) Bielema on June 3, 1982, at the young age of 33 years following a lengthy illness; a grandson, Steven Eric Bielema who died on April 17, 1974 at the age of two years; and a son-in-law, Tom Noble who died on July 26, 2006. Les was the last surviving member of his original family and was preceded in death by his parents, Arie and Helen Groenenboom; his two brothers and their wives: Arie William and Grace Groenenboom, Gysbert Henry and Roelofina Groenenboom and his sister, Cornelia Marie (Gilbert) Van Donselaar. Les and Irma were charter members of the Trinity Reformed Church in Pella, Iowa and at the present time were attending the Presbyterian Church.
ARIE J. LANSER
Arie J. Lanser, 99, of Pella, died December 14. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Monday, December 19 at the Sully Christian Reformed Church. Visitaton will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 18 atGarden Chapel Funeral Home in Pella where family will be present from 2-4 p.m. Memorials may be designated for Sully Christian School.
Arie John Lanser was born on January 13, 1912 to John and Elizabeth (Bruxvoort) Lanser. He went to his heavenly home on Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at the age of ninety-nine.
Arie grew up on the family farm and attended Sully Christian Grade School where he completed the eighth grade.
On January 22, 1939 he was united in marriage with Johanna Wielard in Pella Iowa. Four children were born into the family: Ilene, Gladys, Melvin, Arvin. Arie and Johanna raised the family on their farms in the Sully area.
Arie was a member of the Sully Christian Reformed Church where he served on the church council and was a member of the Men's Society. He also served on the Sully Christian School Board.
Those left to cherish his memory are his four children and their spouses: Ilene and Marvin Meppelink, Gladys and Russell Stravers, Melvin and Wanda Lanser, Arvin and Ronda Lanser; fifteen grandchildren; forty great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; three brothers: Peter and Junella Lanser, John and Lois Lanser, Marvin and Ruth Lanser; three sisters: Nellie Van Maaren, Joann Zylstra, Betty Nikkel; and one brother-in-law: Dan Van Wyk.
Preceding him in death were: his wife Johanna; son-in-law Marvin Vande Voort; brothers: Brant (Johanna) Lanser, Henry (Clara) Lanser; sisters: Mattie (Henry) Jansen, Durkie (Gerrit) Van Kooten, Harriet Van Wyk; and In-Laws: Cornie Van Maaren, Ludolph Zylstra, Dewey Nikkel, and Leonard and Gertrude Maasdam.
Arie will be greatly missed by his loving family, his many friends, and his Long Term Care family.
Arie's family:
Ilene (Lanser) and Marvin Meppelink – Pella
Ken Vande Voort
Kendra
Kandis and Corey Pregon
Riley, Alex, Kady
Marla and Bruce Terlouw
Jaci and Kyle Nunnikhoven
Tyler, Katie, Kimberly
Vivian and Doug Vriezelaar
Brent
Justin and Shelby Vriezelaar
Staci
Kevin and Rachel Vande Voort
Ross and April
Gladys (Lanser) and Russell Stravers – Lynnville
Jeff and Jody Stravers
Kelsie and Cody Johnson
Trace
Jacob, Megan, Bret
Brenda and Mark McKay
Lynn and Dan Nichols
Noah, Elijah
Greg and Marcy Stravers
Justin, Colin, Ian
Phil and Amy Stravers
Drew, Clay, Emma
Melvin and Wanda (Vanderpol) Lanser – Searsboro
Sharla and Dan Dunsbergen
Zachary, Amy, Connor, Alexa
Eric Lanser
Taeler, Brenna, Kenzi
Holly and Jeff Lee
Nicholas and Jayden
Leisha and Ryan Huyser
Carly, Clayton, Camden
Arvin and Ronda (Terlouw) Lanser – Sully
Dawn and Jason Allbee
Derik, Logan, Jenna
Trisha and Blake Korns
Olivia, Andrew
DOROTHY RENAUD
Dorothy J. Klyn Renaud, 90, of Pella, died Dec. 11. Funeral services will be Saturday, Dec. 17, 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Pella. Visitation will follow the service at the Church. Memorials may be designated for the First Baptist Church in Pella. Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home
Dorothy Julene Klyn was born October 14, 1921 on a farm southeast of Pella in Mahaska County. She was the oldest of three children born to Henry A. and Bertha (Den Burger) Klyn. Her father farmed with his brother “Brooks” where Dorothy attended Pleasant Grove Country School. In 1936 both families moved to Pella and established a hatchery business on North Main. Dorothy attended Pella Community Schools graduating from high school in 1939. It was in high school that she met Alfred Earl Renaud and they were married June 13, 1941. They first lived in Spencer Iowa where their son James Paul was born July 29, 1942. After returning to Pella, Alf was in farm related businesses selling farm products and processing chickens and eggs for 50 years , later partnering with Dorothy’s brother Paul . The business later evolved into a lawn and garden center. Dorothy supported Alf in his business, in earlier years she graded eggs brought in by local farmers and later assisted with plant care in the garden center. Alf and Dorothy spent several winters in Mesa Arizona in the Palm Garden mobile home park and later moved there year round to be near their son Jim and his wife Jean. They returned to Pella and lived in the Lindview Apartments. Dorothy remained in their apartment after Alf died in 2002 moving to Hilltop Manor in 2008. Dorothy made lifelong friends wherever she lived.
Dorothy and Alf shared many hobbies especially collecting antiques and later selling and appraising antiques for other collectors. They were able to travel to many interesting places, most importantly a trip to visit the family and home of their daughter in law Jean who was from England.
Dorothy was a very special aunt to her nieces and nephews, Kent, Sandra , Jana, Jill and Spencer. She was fondly called “Auntie Dorsey”. They often mentioned that she allowed them to play with some of her fragile antique toys and dolls, always trusting them to be careful. She took pride in them as they grew to be adults and had their own children. The little ones looked forward to visiting her and sitting on her pretty foot stools. Dorothy was dedicated to family. She assisted her son Jim for one year in their home when his wife Jean had a liver transplant and during her recovery. In recent years she faithfully visited her sister Ruth who is a resident in the extended care unit.
Dorothy celebrated her 90th birthday on October 14 just a short two months before falling and breaking her hip. She died in the Pella Regional Health Center on Sunday December 11.
Dorothy is survived by her son James and his wife Jean, her sister, Ruth Ver Meer and brother Paul Klyn, his wife, Joan and by her brother in law, Richard Mollard . She was preceeded in death by her husband, Alfred and his sister, Jean Mollard and her brother in law, Willard Ver Meer.
Dorothy made profession of her faith and became a member of the First Reformed Church in Pella in 1938. She and Alf were faithful members of the First Baptist Church in Pella, where she enjoyed many friends and loving, caring support. To her family she was a cherished mother, sister and aunt, to her church family and friends she was a trusted friend. She will be truly missed by all, but never forgotten.
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