Gladys Marie Vander Hart, daughter of Andrew and Nellie Van Houweling Pothoven, was born December 26, 1923 in Mahaska County, Iowa. She passed away at the Pella Hospice Comfort House on Sunday, September 9, 2007 at the age of eighty-three years.

Gladys completed her formal education at the Wheat Grow country school near the home where she grew up located east of Pella. She continued her lifelong education through her constant reading.

On March 11, 1948 Gladys was united in marriage with Harold J. Vander Hart at the First Reformed Church in Pella. To this union four children were born: Duane, Loren, Sheryl, and Karen. Together they farmed in the Pella area most of their married life.

Gladys was a member of the First Reformed Church in Pella where she was a member of the Ladies Aid, Women's Guild, served as a Sunday School teacher, and later a member of the Golden Hour Sunday School Class. Harold and Gladys blessed many sick and lonely people with their ministry as Shepherds. Gladys enjoyed and loved her family very much. She was known as a "woman of faith."

She is survived by her four children: Duane and Sharon Vander Hart of Pella, Iowa, Loren Vander Hart of Dallas, Texas, Sheryl and Dan Dickinson of Greenfield, Iowa, and Karen and Ron Dillon of West Chester, Iowa; and ten grandchildren: Amanda, Ashley, and Andrew Vander Hart, Michelle, Danielle, and Matthew Dickinson, Anne, Beth, John, and Michael Dillon; her brother and sister-in-law: Melvin and Leona Pothoven of Pella.

Gladys was preceded in death by her parents; her husband who passed away February 26, 2007; and two grandsons, Mark Dickinson on August 10, 1994, and Brian Dillon on February 26, 1998; and her brother, Elmer Pothoven.

Family and friends will continue to cherish the wonderful memories Gladys created in her lifetime. She will be missed by the many who knew her.

FUNERAL SERVICES

1:30 P.M., Thursday, September 13, 2007
First Reformed Church
Pella, Iowa

VISITATION

Visitation will begin after 12 noon
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Family will be present 6:00 - 8:00 P.M. Wednesday
Garden Chapel Funeral Home
Pella, Iowa

MEMORIALS

Pella Hospice Comfort House

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