Lauren Gene Vander Molen 67, of Harvey, Iowa, peacefully went to be with his Savior on June 25, 2016, after a short battle with cancer.

Lauren was born January 6, 1949, to Bernard and Alida (Stam) Vander Molen near Pella, Iowa. He grew up on a farm northeast of Pella, where he developed a passion for taking care of livestock and crops. He was a graduate of Pella Christian Grade School and Pella Christian High School. Following graduation he entered the Air National Guard and was a jet engine mechanic. On December 18, 1970, he was united in marriage to Marilyn Spoelstra at Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Oskaloosa, Iowa. They were blessed with four children: Michelle, Daryl, Renae, and Kayla.

Following their marriage, Lauren held a variety of jobs: farming near Leighton, operating a business in Pella, and farming again east of Knoxville, where he farmed for several years. He also worked at the 3M plant in Knoxville, for 14 years and was currently working at Home Realty in Pella. In 2000, he was diagnosed with Churg-Strauss Syndrome which he battled for 16 years. Lauren was a lifetime member of Second Christian Reformed Church in Pella, where he was baptized and made profession of faith in the Lord; he later served as a deacon, elder, young people's leader, Catechism teacher, and sang in the Gospel Singers and church choir. Currently he was serving as a shepherding elder and custodian. He was always willing to help and serve others. Lauren found joy in his family by spending time with them and playing with his grandchildren.

His family includes his wife, Marilyn of 45 years, and their children and grandchildren:

Michelle and Eric Fopma, Urbandale, Iowa
Jacob
Noah
Evan
Claire

Daryl and Kristen Vander Molen, Pella, Iowa
Gabriel
Spencer

Renae and Dustin Sloan, Bellingham, Washington

Kayla and Samuel Zylstra, Lowell, Indiana

Lauren is also survived by his sisters and brother: Kathleen and Robert Van Donselaar of Pella, Janet and Michael Evinger of Knoxville, Robert and Terri Vander Molen of Pella, and Ruth Harding of Knoxville; sister-in-law Carol De Ronde; brother-in-law Robert and Donna Spoelstra and several nieces and nephews.

Lauren is preceded in death by his parents Bernard and Alida Vander Molen, parents-in-law Cornelius and Elvera Spoelstra and brothers-in-law Charles Vander Werff and Stephen De Ronde.

Visitation

1:00 P.M., Tuesday, June 28, 2016
With family present 5:00 - 7:00 P.M.
Garden Chapel Funeral Home

Funeral Service

10:30 A.M., Wednesday, June 29, 2016
Second Christian Reformed Church
Pella, Iowa

Memorials

Pella Christian Grade School
Hospice of Pella

Family

Wife: Marilyn Vander Molen, Harvey, Iowa
Children: Michelle and Eric Fopma, Urbandale, Iowa
Daryl and Kristen Vander Molen, Pella, Iowa
Renae and Dustin Sloan, Bellingham, Washington
Kayla and Samuel Zylstra, Lowell, Indiana