Tana Mae Van Roekel was born August 9, 1924, to Hubert and Dora (Van Ommen) Van Gilst, at their home south of Pella. She passed away Monday, June 27, 2016, with her family by her side.

Tana graduated from Pella Community High School with the class of 1941, with a "Normal Training Teaching Certificate." She was a member of Third Reformed Church in Pella, where she made profession of faith and attended the rest of her life. She taught Sunday School and family night classes for many years and was active in the women's ministries.

Tana met Bernie Van Roekel at church and they married on June 12, 1946, at her parent's home six miles south of Pella. To this union they were blessed with four children: Kenneth, Marlene, Harley and Donna. Tana worked for the overall factory for a year, taught rural school for four years, and then became a homemaker and partner with Bernie on the farm. Tana enjoyed doing handiwork, especially counted cross stitch and crocheting. It was always a special pleasure to have her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren spend time at her home. She traveled with family and friends to many areas of the country and overseas.

Tana's family:

Loving husband Bernie

Kenneth and Linda Van Roekel, Reeds Spring, Missouri
Shawn Van Roekel

Marlene and Ron Steenhoek, Pella, Iowa
Vicki and Brent Steenhoek
Sierra, Erika, Connor
Jeffrey and Kristin Steenhoek
Ethan, Cael

Harley and Kathe Van Roekel, Otley, Iowa
Jason and Rian Van Roekel
Hailey, Derek, Braden
Tomi and Keith Nelson
Lucas, Collin, Paityn

Donna and Fred Bahls, Clive, Iowa
Christopher and Sheena Bahls
Lia Bahls

Tana is also survived by two sisters: Dorothy Vander Linden of Pella, and Bernice Dodge of St. Louis, Missouri.

Those preceding Tana in death are her parents, sister Wilma Kaldenberg, and grandson Shawn Van Roekel.

Visitation

2:00 P.M., Friday, July 1, 2016
With family present 5:00 - 7:00 P.M.
Garden Chapel Funeral Home

Funeral Service

10:30 A.M., Saturday, July 2, 2016
Third Reformed Church
Pella, Iowa

Memorials

New Tribes - Schuring family

Family

Husband: Bernie Van Roekel, Pella
Children:
Ken and Linda Van Roekel, Reeds Spring, Missouri
Marlene and Ron Steenhoek, Pella
Harley and Kathe Van Roekel, Otley
Donna and Fred Bahls, Clive