Lois Van Der Kamp Schmelzle went to be with the Lord on August 19, 2025.

Lois was born the third daughter of Ernest and Anna (Jelsma) Van Der Kamp, on the family farm south of Sully, Iowa, November 2, 1934. She attended Iron Clad Lynn Grove #11, graduated from Sully High School 1953, Iowa Methodist Hospital School of Nursing 1956, Barnes Hospital School of Nurse Anesthetist in St. Louis, Missouri 1972 and received her BH degree from Stephens College, Columbia, Missouri in 1976. Lois worked as an office nurse two years in Des Moines then in the operating room at Iowa Methodist Hospital until 1965 when she moved to St. Louis, Missouri, working in the operating room at Barnes Hospital and John Cochran Veterans Administration Medical Center. She continued working at JCVAMC as a CRNA until retiring in 1997.

Lois married Marvin Schmelzle February 5, 1977, at Memorial Presbyterian Church in St. Louis, Missouri. Marvin passed away November 2000. Lois moved back to Pella in February 2003. She was an active member of Liberty Evangelical Free Church serving on the Missions Commission serving in the nursery for church, Sunday school and helping with the construction from the beginning. Lois volunteered at the food pantry and Work of Our Hands. She enjoyed house and dog sitting, reading, jigsaw puzzles, and helping people pack and move.

Lois is survived by her sister Shirley Van Hal, nieces and nephews, Sharon (Lyle) Nunnikhoven, Gregory (Sue) Van Hal, Erwin Van Hal, Anita (Scott) Carroll, and many great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Marvin Schmelzle, her parents Ernest and Anna Van Der Kamp, parents-in-law Frank and Gertrude Schmelzle, sister Vivian Van Der Kamp, brother-in-law Gerrit Van Hal and great-great niece Grace Nunnikhoven.

Liberty Evangelical Free Church - Children's Nursery
Pella IA