R. Walter Roorda

Robert Walter Roorda was born August 2, 1919, to Wigert A. and Reino (Borgman) Roorda, in Marion County.  He passed away on February 23, 2019, at the age of ninety-nine.   

Walter attended Lincoln and Webster Elementary Schools in Pella.  He walked, rode horseback or bicycled, two miles to get there. He was a 1937 graduate of Pella Community High School.  After graduation, he worked on the farm at home and for other farmers.  On November 12, 1941, Walter was drafted into the U.S. Army for a year of training.  With the bombing of Pearl Harbor and declaration of war, he was in for the duration. He was the driver for Brigadier General D.O. Hickey.

On November 7, 1945, Walter was united in marriage to Johanna Wilma De Haan, at the Second Christian Reformed Church in Pella. Two children were born into the family: Lois Eileen and Donald Wayne. The family made their home on the Roorda farm northwest of Pella, where Walter was born.

In February 1962, Walter started work at Pella Building Supply as a plumber and electrician. They built a new home on North Broadway in Pella and lived there for 50 years, moving to the Grandview Apartments in 2004 and later to Fair Haven East.  Walter started to work at the Rolscreen Company as a maintenance man and later as a machine builder for 22 years, retiring in 1984.

Walter enjoyed photography, woodworking, metalworking and traveling.   

Walter made profession of faith in the First Reformed Church in Pella in 1937. He served as deacon and elder and was a member of the consistory.

Walter’s family:

Lois and Lawrence Van Heukelom of Des Moines

               Eric and Libby Van Heukelom of Des Moines

                               Prior and Penn

               Matt Van Heukelom of Des Moines

                               Anna and Luke

               Josh and Brenda Van Heukelom of Urbandale

                              Ashley, Addison and Aaron

Donald and Dixie Roorda of Pella

               Brad and Kim Roorda of Pella

               Bryan Roorda of Pella

               Becky Roorda of Pella

                               Andrew and Paige Burkland

Walter is also survived by his sister: Clara Newendorp of Pella.

Walter was preceded in death by his wife Wilma, his parents Wigert and Reino Roorda, his parents-in-law: Teunis and Sarah De Haan; his sisters: Esther Roorda and Erma  (Adrian) De Haan, his brothers Paul (Eva Mae) Roorda and Carl Roorda, and his brother-in-law Raymond Newendorp.

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