Gilbert Van Maanen was born September 26, 1937, the son of Teunis and Rika (Fortuin) Van Maanen, southeast of Sully, Iowa, and later moved with his family southeast of Lynnville.

Gilbert attended Case Country School through the 8th grade and helped on the family farm. He proudly served six years in the Army National Guard and was honorably discharged in 1965 after achieving the rank of E-5. Gilbert rented land to farm and  purchased his own farm in 1963.  He took great pride in stewarding the land for future generations.

On May 16, 1963, he was united in marriage to Ada Kay Van Wyk at the Calvary Christian Reformed Church in Pella. Together they had four children: Verlan Gene, Carla Kay, Carol Ann, and Terry Lynn, ten grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.

Farming was his chosen life's work; he was a hard worker who provided for his family. Gilbert enjoyed farm auctions, and monthly sibling coffee-times, and his dogs "Sparky" and "Molly" who rode on the tractor with him and on the front seat of his pickup. His favorite hobby was fishing in local ponds. Gilbert was physically strong and was kind and gentle in spirit. He was a peace-loving man who always greeted family and friends with his bright smile.

Gilbert was a life-long member of Sully First Reformed Church.

Gilbert was preceded in death by his wife Ada Kay, parents Teunis and Rika Van Maanen, parents-in-law Dick and Martha Van Wyk, brothers: Marvin Van Maanen, Norman Van Maanen, and Irvin Gene Van Maanen who died in infancy; and brothers and sisters-in-law: Violet Van Maanen, Arnout Dunnick, Jane Ann Van Wyk, Bernard Van Wyk who died in infancy, Bernard Van Wyk, Donald Van Wyk, and Ralph J. and Ruby Van Wyk.

Gilbert passed away peacefully with his family by his side, and is survived by his children and their families:

Verlan and Cathy Van Maanen

Jessica and Kyle Van Soelen

Jordann, Elsie, Kylee, Kaydean, Kambria, Khloee, Lyza, Isabelle, Dallas

Zachary Van Maanen

Trisha Van Maanen and Greg Vasseau

Raegan, Brason, Waelynn

Carla Van Maanen

Carol and Scott Torra

Hayden Torra

Kathryn Torra

Derrick Torra

Allyssa Torra

Terry Van Maanen

Kaylee and Brian Hervey

Tessa Van Maanen

Jarret and Nycole Van Maanen

He is also survived by his siblings: Walton Van Maanen of Lynnville, LeRoy (Ruth) Van Maanen of Grinnell, Arlene Dunnick of Barnes City, Dennis (Linda) Van Maanen of Kellogg, Shirley (Melvin) Uitermarkt of Leighton, Karen (Frank) Van Soelen of Sully, Rodney (Beverly) Van Maanen of Lynnville, and Dale (Ruth) Van Maanen of Lynnville: brothers and sisters-in-law: Dorothy Van Maanen of Grinnell, Marilyn Van Maanen of Sully, LaVonne Van Wyk of Sully, Lucille Van Wyk of Pella, Dick (Linda) Van Wyk of Monroe, and Harold (Twyla) Van Wyk of Monroe, and numerous nieces and nephews.