Gertrude Van Wyk was born on December 3, 1927, to William G. and Johanna (De Jong) Van Wyk on a farm in Jasper County southwest of Lynnville, Iowa. She was raised there and completed her eighth grade education at the Ryder School in that area. Later on, she worked at the Pella Overall Factory where she was honored to be their first queen and served as the treasurer of a union staff council.

On January 20, 1949, Gertrude was married to Raymond H. Van Wyk at the First Reformed Church in Sully, Iowa. They were blessed with two children, Linda and Galen.

Gertrude's greatest joys in life were being a wife, mother, and grandmother. She loved to cook and was an excellent seamstress. She was employed for twenty years at the Pella Community Hospital in the food service department.

Gertrude and Ray lived in Otley, Gertrude's favorite place, for many years. Later on, they moved to Vriendschap Village in Pella. Ray passed away on February 15, 2010. They were married for sixty-one years.

Gertrude was a member of the Otley Reformed Church, where she was active in the Dorcas Society. She donated to the VFW and to many church missions.

Gertrude passed away on Friday, September 13, 2013, at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House in Pella, Iowa.

Those remaining to cherish her memory are her two children and their spouses, and five grandchildren. Of her original family, Gertrude leaves these siblings: Esther Van Wyk of Lynnville, Ralph J. and Ruby Van Wyk of Sully, Wilmer and Dorothy Van Wyk of Monroe, and Vernon and Carolyn Van Wyk of Sully. Of Ray's original family, she leaves Richard Van Wyk, Geraldine Ver Ploeg, and Johnita Van Wyk.

Gertrude was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her sister Anna Mae Dunsbergen, and her brothers Gysbert (Guy) and Forrest Van Wyk.

Gertrude will be remembered for her kind and giving spirit and her dedication to her husband, family, and church.

FUNERAL SERVICES

10:00 A.M., Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Otley Reformed Church
Otley, Iowa

VISITATION

Begins at noon on Monday, September 16, 2013
with family present 5:00-7:00 P.M. at the
Garden Chapel Funeral Home
Pella, Iowa

MEMORIALS

Otley Reformed Church
Hospice of Pella Comfort House

FAMILY

Husband: the late Raymond Van Wyk
Daughter: Linda and Gary Snetselaar - Iowa City
Son: Galen and Jayni Van Wyk - Pella

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