It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Betty Vander Waal Ellinwood, who peacefully went to Heaven on January 16th, 2025, at Deerfield Retirement Community at the remarkable age of 97.

Betty was born on September 3rd, 1927, and was the cherished first daughter of Edward and Caroline Van Zee. Betty was raised in Leighton, Iowa, and attended country school through eighth grade. She then graduated from Pella Community High School in 1944.  After attending Central College for one year, and learning shorthand, Betty joined the Pella Chronicle as a proofreader.  Her next career move was to the Pella Rolscreen in the filing department where she met her future husband Herb Vander Waal.  On October 10th, 1952, Betty and Herb were married in her parents' rural home near Leighton. Their marriage was blessed with three daughters: Carol, Greta, and Donna.

Herb and Betty were life-long members of Trinity Reformed Church.  They enjoyed countless picnics at Big Rock Park and Red Rock Dam, rounds of golf at Pella Country Club, and sporting events at Central College and Pella Community High School with their family and friends.  While her daughters were attending Pella Community High School, Betty was a secretary in the front office and retired in 1985.

One of Betty's favorite events in Pella was the annual Tulip Time festival—especially her time dressed in traditional Dutch attire on the Parade of Provinces float. Betty and Herb were avid Chicago Cubs fans.  She continued to be a great sports fan up until her passing, never missing a televised football, basketball or baseball game.

Herb and Betty celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in October of 2002.  The following year, Herb sadly passed away.

Nine years after Herb's passing, Betty married Walter Ellinwood in 2012 after meeting at the Pella Manor, where they enjoyed their years together spending time with friends and attending Pella activities and events.

In 2021, Betty moved to the Des Moines area to be closer to her daughters.  She was a regular card shark at Deerfield Retirement Community in Urbandale and loved the camaraderie of her fellow residents and the Community staff. One of her favorite memories during her time in Des Moines was her recent 97th birthday party with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in September.  She loved when her family came together.  Thirty-two family members were able to celebrate her at that time.

She is survived by her sister, Marjorie Wing of Oveida, Florida; her children, Carol (Dave) O'Brien of Norwalk, Iowa; Greta Wallace of Newton, Iowa; Donna (Dennis) Kirkpatrick of Des Moines, Iowa; eight grandchildren, Amy (Drew) Vohs, Heather (Tony) Hiatt, Mike O'Brien, Kate (Justin) Raatz, Nikki (Rob) Hartz, Kara (Bobby) Nichols, Kristin (Andy) Leonard, and Kelsey (Mike) Renfro.  Also surviving are seventeen great-grandchildren ranging from 19 to 3.5 years old—nine great-grandsons and eight great-granddaughters.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward & Caroline Van Zee; her husband, Herb Vander Waal; her brother-in-law, Jack Wing; and a son-in-law, Doug Vander Linden.

A celebration of life service will be held at Garden Chapel Funeral Home in Pella on April 19, 2025 at 10:30 a.m.  Family visitation will start at 9 am. All are invited to a lunch at Garden Chapel following the burial. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Lake View Camp and Trinity Reformed Church.

Lake View Camp
P.O. Box 836, Pella IA 50219

Trinity Church
Pella IA