Helen Schmidt
Jan 21, 2026
Helen Jean Schmidt was born October 29, 1931, to Cornelius and Mary (Ver Steegt) Vander Leest, in rural Monroe, Iowa.
On June 16, 1953, she was united in marriage to Freddie Schmidt in Sully, Iowa. Helen accepted the Lord at an early age, and was a member of the Sully Community Church where she served many roles over the years. She...
Brad Musgrove
Jan 18, 2026
David Bradley Musgrove was born July 24, 1959, to Donavon and Audrey (Van Dee) Musgrove, in Newton, Iowa.
Brad was a 1977 graduate of Lynnville-Sully High School. On November 20, 1982, Brad was united in marriage to Cindy Rankin in Sully, Iowa. To this union they were blessed with two daughters: Natasha and Nicolette.
Brad worked for Co-Line Manufacturing for more than...
Donald Van Rees
Jan 17, 2026
Donald Eugene Van Rees was the oldest of four sons born to Edward and Lorene (Jansen) Van Rees on June 24, 1939, in Sully, IA.
Don attended Sully Christian Grade School followed by two years at Pella Christian High School before pausing his education to help his dad on the farm. He then completed his GED while serving in the US...
Alan Boender
Jan 12, 2026
Alan John Boender was called home to eternal life on January 12, 2026, resting in the sure promise of the Lord he faithfully served. His life was not marked by self-promotion, but by steady work, quiet dedication, and a willingness to use the gifts God gave him for the good of others.
Alan was born on December 6, 1952, to John...
Gary Van Wyk
Jan 12, 2026
Gary Lee Van Wyk was born August 31, 1939, the fourth child of Henry G. and Clara H. (Ver Steegt) Van Wyk, near Lynnville, Iowa.
Gary made profession of faith at First Reformed Church in Sully, Iowa. He attended Four Country School, Rider Junction, Iron Clad & Chester. In 1962, he enlisted in the National Guard.
On December 14, 1965, he was...
Edward Keuning
Jan 8, 2026
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife Carol and their family:
Beth and Gary Kingma
Jason and Kayla
Mollie and Marcus
Bonnie and Brad Riphagen
Tim and Ashley
Kayce and Jacob
Bev and Carl Van Zee
Jon and Morgan
Katie
He is also survived by many great grandchildren.
Memorials may be given to Wesley Life Hospice.
Henry Van Rheenen
Jan 8, 2026
Henry Ralph Van Rheenen was born on January 13, 1945, at Mahaska County Hospital in Oskaloosa, Iowa, to John and Mary Irene (De Cook) Van Rheenen. He was raised on a farm southeast of Pella alongside an older brother and two younger sisters, where he learned early the values of faith, hard work, and helping others.
Henry’s childhood was filled with...
Arlene Vander Leest
Jan 4, 2026
Arlene Mae Vander Leest was born on August 21, 1934 to Jacob and Matje (Van Arkel) Laverman in Sully, Iowa.
Arlene passed away on January 4, 2026, at Park Center in Newton, Iowa, at the age of 91.
On June 25, 1953 she was united in marriage to Arland Vander Leest in Sully. To this union three sons were born: Randy, Brent...
Teresa Neff
Jan 3, 2026
Teresa was born February 19, 1956, to Francis & Violet (Clark) Neff on an Air Force base in Topeka, KS. She was the second child of six. Our Lord called Teresa home on January 3, 2026. She passed away quietly in her sleep at home. Her health had been failing due to congestive heart disease.
Teresa was always a happy, sweet-natured...
Ruth Huyser
Dec 27, 2025
Ruth Huyser was born on July 10, 1924 to Gertie (Terlouw) and Peter Keuning on a farm near Otley, Iowa. She was the youngest of eight children. Ruth grew up during the Great Depression, but her family was quite sufficient on their own, as they grew their own fruits and vegetables and had their own milk, eggs and meat. Her...
LeNora Van Weelden
Dec 16, 2025
LeNora was born to Nick P. and Sarah (De Heus) De Jong on August 5, 1931, on a farm by Leighton, Iowa. The family moved to Lynden, WA, in 1935, but returned to the Pella area a couple years later. Norie attended Pella Christian Grade School through the 4th grade, and then Pleasant Grove School for grades 5-8. After graduating...
Jeanie Brockway
Dec 6, 2025
Carolyn Jean Brockway was born May 4, 1941, to Richard and Verda (Kelley) Brown in Decorah, Iowa.
Jeanie grew up in Decorah, Ottumwa, and Eldon, before graduating from Pella High School in 1959. She went on to attend nursing school in Marshalltown.
On October 18, 1962, Jeanie and Jack eloped while Jack was in the service. They later were married on January...
John Van Zee
Dec 2, 2025
John N. Van Zee was born June 9, 1931, to Bert and Johanna (Willemsen) Van Zee in Otley, Iowa on the family-owned farm.
He attended country school through the 8th grade at Liberty Corner and later in life got his high school equivalency by passing the GED. He was a member of the Otley Christian Reformed Church where he was baptized...
Ronald Rietveld
Nov 27, 2025
Ronald Dean Rietveld was born in Pella, Iowa, on September 22nd, 1937. He was the only child of Jan [John] Willard Rietveld and Gertrude (Sneller) Rietveld. Ronald passed away at the age of 88 on Thanksgiving Day, November 27th, 2025 surrounded by his loved ones.
Ronald married his sweetheart, Ruth Eleanor Davis, on June 12th, 1959 at Union Park Baptist Church....
Mary Roush
Nov 27, 2025
Mary Louise (Nossaman) Roush was born November 12, 1930, the first of five children born to John E. (Ted) and Edith Nossaman near Leighton, Iowa. Growing up on the family farm, Mary developed a strong work ethic but often spoke of family music sessions where her father would play the fiddle and the “kids” would play various musical instruments together....
Jane Anderson
Nov 24, 2025
April Janella Anderson, 96, formerly of Pella, died Monday, November 24th, at the Good Samaritan Society in Ottumwa.
She was born April 14, 1929 in Grindstone, South Dakota, to George and Laura Reid. Jane married Wendell Anderson on September 21, 1958, in Christiansburg, Iowa.
Jane graduated from Moravia High School in 1947 and later worked briefly at John Morrell and Co.
Jane was...
Mark Schnell
Nov 22, 2025
Mark Brian Schnell was born May 1, 1969, to Richard and Linda (Van Weelden) Schnell.
Mark grew up in the Sully area and was a 1987 graduate of Lynnville-Sully High School. He went on to study radiation technology at DMACC and the University of Iowa.
Mark was married to Sheila Terlouw and together they welcomed two children: Mikayla and Austin. They later...
Wilma Ver Ploeg
Nov 21, 2025
Wilma Ver Ploeg was born October 17, 1922, to James and Gertie (Marks) Steenhoek in Jasper County, Iowa.
Wilma attended European School District #2 in Lake Prairie Township through eighth grade, and earned her G.E.D. in 1972.
On February 12, 1947, she was united in marriage with Logan Ver Ploeg in the Methodist Church near Reasnor, Iowa. To this union three children...
Randy Gabrielson
Nov 19, 2025
Randal Scot Gabrielson was born August 31, 1960, to Gary and Charlotte (Raber) Gabrielson, in Belmond, Iowa.
Randy was a 1978 graduate of Belmond High School, and earned a Master of Science & Manufacturing from General Motors Institute in 1996.
On September 4, 1982, he was united in marriage to Tracy Hadley in Rowan, Iowa. To this union they were blessed with...
Jeffrey Groenenboom
Nov 16, 2025
Jeffrey Lee Groenenboom was born February 26, 1973, in the Mahaska Hospital in Oskaloosa, Iowa. He was the oldest of four children of Robert and Linda (Bennink) Groenenboom. Jeff was baptized in the Leighton Christian Reformed Church on April 9, 1973.
While Jeff lived at home for 18 years, he attended Pella Christian Grade School and Pella Christian High School. Following...
