SHIRLEY RIHERD
Shirley Riherd, 61, or Pella, died May 14. Funeral services will be Saturday, May 17, 10:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Pella. Visitation will be after noon on Friday, May 16, with family present from 5-7:00 p.m. at Garden Chapel Funeral Home in Pella. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to Pela First Baptist Church Children and Youth Ministries.

HARRIET HEUSINKVELD
Harriet M. Heusinkveld, 90, of Pella, died May 8. Funeral services were Monday, May 12, 2:00 p.m. at Secoind Reformed Church. Memorials may be designated for the Harriet M. Heusinkveld Scholarship at Central College or Second Reformed Church in Pella. Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home

Harriet Mildred Heusinkveld was born on April 5, 1916. She grew up on the farm near Hull, IA. Because of her mother’s early death when Harriet was only 13, she willingly helped to raise her younger brothers and baby sister, Frances. She graduated from Northwestern Junior College, Orange City, IA in 1934 and then taught three years in rural schools near home so as to be able to help manage the home situation at the same time. Following her graduation from Central College in Pella, IA in 1939, she taught in high schools in Webb, Havelock and Ida Grove, IA. She obtained her M.A. in 1944 and her PhD in 1959 in Geography from the State University of Iowa. In 1944, she started teaching at Central College and except for one year in the Reformed Church Board of Domestic Missions Office in New York City, she continued at Central until 1985, teaching a total of 40 years. She started the Central College program in Yucatan, Mexico in 1968 and has taught there many terms. Arising out of her deep fondness for the Yucatecans, Harriet established the Harriet Heusinkveld Scholarship fund to help needy Mexicans attend Central College. Harriet also found thousands of beautiful seashells along the shores of Mexico and donated many of her best shells to Central College and to the Pella Public Library, now on display at the Vermeer Science Center and the foyer of the public library. Harriet had a wonderful wit and sense of humor and has touched the lives of thousands of people by setting an example of living life with zest, integrity, respect, and kindness. She did much volunteer work for the community and for her church, the Second Reformed Church of Pella. Harriet also contributed to the community by self publishing five books: Saga of the Des Moines River Greenbelt, Red Rock, Iowa Annals of a Frontier Community 1843 – 1969, Legends of the Mayas of Yucatan, Mexico, Coal Mining in Marion County, The Best of Grace Karr’s Cordova News. Harriet was awarded a doctorate of Humane Letters May 19, 2001 from Central College recognizing her for her contributions to Central College and to the community. Other awards granted to Harriet include the following: 1997 – Alumni Stewardship & Service Award 1983 – Northwestern College Alumna of the Year Pella Chamber of Commerce Marion County Development Commission Lake Red Rock Association Harriet passed away Thursday evening, May 8, 2008, in the Long Term Care Unit at the Pella Regional Health Center in Pella at the age of 92 years, one month and three days. Survivors include her brother, Henry Heusinkveld living in Overland Park, KS; her brother, Willis Marion Heusinkveld and his wife, Marjorie of Centerville, IA; her sister Frances Heusinkveld, living in Pella, IA; and sister-in-law, Emma Lou (George) Heusinkveld of Stone Mountain, GA. In the next generation her family includes nephews, Lynn Heusinkveld of Princeville, Hawaii; Wayne Heusinkveld of Livermore, CA; and nieces, Paula Heusinkveld of Seneca, SC; Myra Jager of Roanoke, VA; Ginger White of Marietta, GA; Laura Miller of Overland Park, KS; Joyce Sherman of Lake Mills, IA; Judy Olsen of Independence, IA; Jean Heusinkveld of Fairbanks, AK; Ellen Holmgren of Sacramento, CA; and Valerie Heusinkveld of Berkeley, CA. Harriet was preceded in death by her parents, Dirk and Ella De Boer Heusinkveld; brothers: George Heusinkveld and Myron Heusinkveld; and her dear life long friend, and fellow Central College teacher, Alice Carlson. All who knew Harriet adored her. She was a pillar of the community and the matriarch of the Heusinkveld family even though she had no children of her own. We are all her children, grand-children, and students - each of us with our fond memories of Harriet. We celebrate her life and ask for blessings in her passing.

MARTIN VAN WYK
Marting Van Wyk, 93, formerly of Sully and Oskaloosa, died May 13. Funeral services were Monday, May 12, 10:30 a.m. at Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home. Memorials may be designated for Gideon's International.

Martin Van Wyk was born on November 29, 1914, in Jasper County south of Sully, Iowa. He was the fourth of six children that were born to Henry J. and Christina Mathes Van Wyk. Martin graduated from the Taylor Country Grade School and was the Lynn Grove Township Spelling Bee Winner during his 6th grade. Martin met Marjorie Grace Vander Wilt at a church bazaar. On December 29, 1938, they were united in marriage at the home of her parents, Garret and Ena Monsma Vander Wilt. To this union three daughters were born: Joyce Elaine, Rosalie Iris and Fern Louise. Martin and Marjorie began farming his parents farm just east of Sully following their marriage and later purchased a farm south of there. Martin was a self-employed farmer all his working life, growing crops and raising livestock for 46 years. In November of 1984 he retired and they purchased a home in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Martin and Marjorie lived there until 2001 when they became residents at Fair Haven East in Pella, Iowa. They resided there until becoming residents at the Heather Manor in Des Moines, Iowa in 2003. Martin and Marjorie were residents there the remainder of their lifetimes. Marjorie passed away there on December 22, 2004 and Martin passed away there early Friday morning, May 9, 2008, at the advanced age of 93 years, 5 months and 10 days. Martin shared his self-acquired gifts as a church, community and institutional leader in many and several capacities during his lifetime. As an infant he was baptized at the First Reformed Church in Sully where he made profession of his faith in 1939. He served several terms on the consistory as an Elder and as an officer, Sunday School teacher and mid-week teacher. He had been a Lynn Grove Township Trustee, served on the Junction Country School Board and the Lynnville/Sully School Board. Martin was very involved with the re-organization of the Lynnville/Sully School District. He served on the boards of the Sully Telephone Company in Sully and the Christian Opportunity Center in Pella, Iowa. Most recently he became a faithful Gideon. Martin served the Gideon’s International on both local and state boards. His Gideon’s work was paramount to Martin and in spite of all his involvements he enjoyed doing woodworking and traveling. Those who will cherish his memory are two daughters and their husbands, 7 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson. They are: Rosalie I. and Carroll De Zwarte of West Des Moines, Iowa; Fern L. and Larry Van Dalen of Monroe, Iowa. Of his original family Martin leaves two sisters: Jeanetta and her husband, Fred De Groot of Mitchellville, Iowa and Margaret (Huyser) Vande Krol of Sully, Iowa; and a sister-in-law, Nellie (Vander Wilt) Van Wyk of Pella, Iowa. Martin was preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie, his oldest daughter, Joyce Elaine, who died at the age of 11 years on March 7, 1952; his parents, Henry J. and Christina Van Wyk; his parents-in-law, Garret and Ena Vander Wilt; two sisters and their husbands, Tressie and Walter Vander Zyl, Wilma and John Arthur Vander Pol; his brother and his wife, Henry M. and Pearl Van Wyk; and four brothers-in-law: Lester Huyser, Russell Vande Krol, Kenneth Vander Wilt and Bert Van Wyk. Martin was baptized as an adult at the Church of the Nazarene in Oskaloosa, Iowa in 1975 where he remained a faithful member the remainder of his life. Martin loved his family very much. He was respected by those closest to him as having a fervent love for his Savior, Jesus Christ. He will be remembered as an inspiring family leader and mentor. We will miss him for who he was and what he stood for.

CHARLEY PAUL GROENENDYK
"Bud" Groenendyk, 84, of Tracy, died May 6. Funeral services will be Saturday, May 10, 10:30 a.m. at the Chapel of Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home in Pella. Visitation will be Friday at the funeral home with family present from 6-8:00 p.m. Memorials may be designated for the Clay Township Rescue and Fire Uni in Tracy.

FLORENCE PALZER
Florence Palzer, 82, of Clear Lake, Iowa, formerly of Pella, died May 5. Funeral services will be Friday, May 9, 10:00 a.m. at Third Reformed Church in Pella. Visitation will be after noon on Thursday, May 8, with family present from 5-7:00 p.m. at Garden Chapel Funeral Home in Pella. Memorials may be designated to Work of Our Hands in Pella, or Third Reformed Church-Sharing the Light.

Florence L. Paltzer, daughter of John and Hattie Vos Brummel, was born April 12, 1926 in rural Mahaska County, Iowa. She passed away on Monday evening, May 5, 2008 at the Oakwood Care Center in Clear Lake, Iowa at the age of eighty-two years.

Florence grew up and received her education in the Tracy, Iowa area and graduated from Tracy High School.

Florence was united in marriage with Minnekus "Mick" Paltzer on March 10, 1948 in Pella, Iowa. To this union two sons were born: Thomas and William.

Florence worked as a secretary at Pella Corporation for many years. She also assisted her husband in the jewelry business, Paltzer's Jewelry in Pella. Later she volunteered at Work of Our Hands in Pella which was near and dear to her heart. Her favorite hobbies were baking, sewing, and reading.

She was a member of the Pella Third Reformed Church, where she was active in the women's organization.

Those left to cherish her memory are her two sons and their wives: Tom and Linda Paltzer of Rochester, Minnesota and Bill and Nancy Paltzer of Clear Lake, Iowa; three grandchildren: Chloe Paltzer and Daniel and Seth Paltzer; three sisters: Mae Van Zante of Monroe, Mary Steenhoek of Pella, and Betty Bensink of Pleasantville; nieces nephews; and many dear friends.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Mick, on February 25, 1999 after celebrating their Golden Wedding Anniversary in 1998; and her parents-in-law: Tunie and Willem Paltzer.

Funeral services were held Friday at the Third Reformed Church in Pella with burial in the Evergreen Cemetery near Leighton, Iowa. The Pella Garden Chapel Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

PATTY VER DUGHT WESSEL
Patty Wessel died Sat., May 3 in Ft. Worth, TX. Graveside services for Patty Wessel, 50, will be Friday, May 9, 1 p.m. at Oakwood Cemetery in Pella. No visiting hours - Garden Chapel Funeral Home, Pella.

Patty Jo Wessel was born on a farm south of Monroe, Iowa on April 22, 1958. She was the fourth daughter born to Arie and Alice (Buwalda) Ver Dught. She passed away early Saturday morning May 3, 2008, at the Community Hospice of Fort Worth, Texas at the age of 50 years and 11 days.

Patty attended Monroe Community Schools, graduating with the class of 1976. She excelled in sports and earned the title Girl Athlete of the Year, and also played in the band. At the First Baptist Church, where she was a member, she sang in the youth choir.

In 1980 Patty graduated from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa where she met her future husband, Kendall Duane Wessel. She was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Patty and Kendall were married on August 25, 1979 at the First Baptist Church of Monroe. To this union two sons were born: Kyle Duane, who is a second year student at North Texas University in Denton, and Aaron James, a 10th grade student in high school near Aledo, Texas, where the family lives.

After completing their education, Patty and Kendall moved to the area of Aledo, Texas, and both worked at jobs in Fort Worth. Patty worked at Houston General Insurance Company, Willis of Texas Company, and at the time of her death was working as the Director of Benefits of the Texas Christian University in Fort Worth.

She was a faithful member of the Trinity Bible Church and helped in the children's AWANA program.

Patty was true to her Lord and Savior, had a beautiful spirit within her, and was loved by all who knew her. She will be missed by her husband of 29 years and her sons Kyle Duane and Aaron James; her parents Arie and Alice Ver Dught; sisters Donna Hamm, Beverly Thompson, and Arla Doddridge; her mother and father-in-law Duane and Velma Wessel of New Hartford, Iowa; twin sisters-in-law Julie Patten and Nancy Vincent of Iowa City, Iowa; nine nieces and nephews; four great nieces and nephews; and a host of friends and relatives.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the family at 1608 Airport Road, Aledo, Texas, 76008.

GEORGIA B. STEENHOEK
Georgia B. (Schuring) Steenhoek, 82, of Pella, died May 1. Visitation was Sunday. Funeral services wil be Monday, May 5, 10:30 a.m. at First Reformed Church, Pella. Memorials may be designated for the church. Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home