Obituary Listing

Nov 23, 2024

Eileen Joyce De Ruiter Holmes was born July 5, 1940, the second child to Reuben and Florence (De Haan) Thomassen in Oskaloosa, Iowa.

Growing up on a farm near Leighton, Iowa, Eileen would share stories of her many antics, like riding cows instead of horses. She attended a country school where she had fond memories of playing...

Nov 20, 2024

Joyce Ann Mattox was born September 7, 1953, to Jerry Richard and Dora Louise (Palmer) Byers, in Ottumwa, Iowa.

Joyce attended Oskaloosa schools until Middle School and then attended Pella Community Schools where she graduated in 1971.

On October 7, 1972, she was united in marriage to Randy Mattox, and later divorced. From this union...

Nov 18, 2024

A life remembered…..

Diane Lou Vande Steeg was born September 15th, 1934, in Spencer, IA. to John and Sibyl Taylor Mattlin. Diane graduated from Spencer High School and Northwestern Junior College in Orange City, IA.

On December 28th, 1954, Diane Lou Mattlin was united in marriage to John M. Vande Steeg and are the proud...

Nov 17, 2024

Bruce Allan Willemsen was born June 28, 1970, to Elmer and Donna (Van Zante) Willemsen, in Knoxville, Iowa. He died of heart complications on Sunday, November 17, 2024, at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines.

Bruce attended Otley School and was a 1988 graduate of Pella High School. He was a member of County Line 4-H and served...

Nov 14, 2024

Geneva June Rozendaal, age 96, of Pella was embraced in the arms of her Lord on November 14, 2024.

June Rozendaal was born on June 20, 1928, on a farm near Lynnville, Iowa. She was the sixth of twelve children of Oney and Katie (Bruxvoort) Arkema. June was raised on the farm and graduated from Sully Christian...

Nov 12, 2024

Elmer Jay Vos was born January 4, 1937, in Des Moines, Iowa. He lived in several children's homes, prior to his adoption at age five, by Jacob and Johanna (Kolenbrander) Vos. He moved to the family farm eight miles southwest of New Sharon.

Elmer attended Peoria Christian Grade School, and received his high school diploma by mail...

Nov 12, 2024

Dorothy Ann Nunnikhoven was born July 14, 1934, to Dick and Alice (Vermeer) Langstraat in Mahaska County. She was baptized and later, on April 9, 1950, made profession of her faith at Central Reformed Church in Oskaloosa. She received her education through the 8th grade in Mahaska County rural schools.

In the spring of 1951, she met...

Oct 19, 2024

Gregory Alan Gerdes was born March 14, 1961, to Dennis "Duck" and Darlene (Sillman) Gerdes, in Britt, Iowa.

Greg was a 1979 graduate of Woden Crystal Lake High School. He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in engineering at Iowa State University. He also attained his Professional Engineering designation.

On December 27, 1986, he married...

Oct 19, 2024

Max did not know a stranger. Quoting from Larry Happel's article in Central's January 2023 Civitas - "He connected with the [Central] athletes because he cared about them. Vander Pol was there for any Central student who needed a hamburger or a place to spend the night — or even a month."

It is impossible to talk...

Oct 16, 2024

Charles Hunter (1944-2024) Charles Eugene Hunter, 79, of Pella, IA, passed away at Comfort House in Pella on October 16, 2024.

He was born in Waterloo, IA, in 1944, to Mervin and Ida May Hunter. He grew up on the family farm outside of Jesup, IA, where he established a strong work ethic and love for family...

Oct 9, 2024

Joyce Rena Van Wyk was born Nov. 26, 1926, in Hawarden, Iowa, as the fifth child to Ben and Lura (Brown) Kooi. Joyce grew up on a farm in northwest Iowa with her two brothers and four sisters. The family moved to Pella in March 1944. Joyce worked and lived with her sister on the second floor at the...

Oct 4, 2024

Daniel Wayne "Hoekie" Hoekstra was born April 15, 1958, to Gerald and Ruby (Mathes) Hoekstra in Pella, Iowa.

Dan lived near Pella his whole life and attended Pella schools. His first job was in the coal mines, and he spent his entire life in the construction field doing earth moving, bulldozing, and drag lines. His passion was...

Oct 3, 2024

Daniel Jay Sorensen was born November 19, 1957, to Hans and Marla (Brouwer) Sorensen, in Primghar, Iowa.

Dan attended schools in Paullina, Iowa, and was a 1976 graduate of Paullina High School. He went on to get his degree from Northwestern College.

On June 3, 1978, Dan married Marveen Mews, his high school sweetheart,  in...

Sep 29, 2024

Elma May Beyer was born February 6,  1929, on one of her grandmother's farms in Fifield, Iowa. Elma was the middle child of Thomas J. and Corlena (Verwers) Bloodsworth,  known as "Sis."

Elma attended Pella schools. While she was in high school, her mother had a severe heart attack, so she quit school to take care of...

Sep 25, 2024

Syburn De Vries was born February 27, 1932, to Wiebe and Gertrude (Bennink) De Vries, in Peoria, Iowa.

Syburn graduated from Peoria Christian School. Following school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1953 and was honorably discharged in 1955.

On December 20, 1955, he was united in marriage to Jo Ann Van Haaften. To...

Sep 24, 2024

Jennie Renae Wilson was born January 23, 1980, in Grinnell, Iowa.

Jennie attended school in Brooklyn, Iowa, until 3rd grade, and was a 1999 graduate of Pella Community High School. Following school, Jennie enjoyed working for the Christian Opportunity Center workshop.

Jennie was baptized at St. James Lutheran Church in Victor and had her confirmation...

Sep 22, 2024

Carol Faye Fynaardt, daughter of George and Ann Zimmer, was born December 9, 1941, in Manhattan, Montana. She was a twin. She was baptized January 25, 1942, and made her Profession of Faith April 8, 1959, at Peoria Christian Reformed Church. Her family moved to Iowa when Carol was in 6th grade where she went on to graduate from...

Sep 21, 2024

Dolores Elaine Mathes was born October 27, 1938, in a country home near Galesburg, Iowa to Clifford Mathes and Grace Bertha (Kamerick) Mathes.

Clifford Mathes, being a hired man moved often, thus Dolores attended various country schools, Springfield, Springhill, and New Albany. And graduated from Knoxville High School.

Dolores met Robert when Reformed Church began...

Sep 21, 2024

Sherman Wayne Kiefaber was born January 9, 1957, to Robert and Delores (Taylor) Kiefaber, in Hannibal, Missouri. Sherman passed away at the Comfort House on September 21, 2024, in Pella, Iowa.

Sherman attended public school in Palmyra, Missouri, and graduated from high school in 1975. He worked as a mechanic for 48 years, and finished his career...

Sep 8, 2024

Stanley Jacob Schuring was born August 8, 1948, to Jacob and Arvena (Rietveld) Schuring, in Knoxville, Iowa.

His first job was a paperboy, painted with his dad, and then worked for Clover Leaf Dairy bottling milk and running a milk route. Stan was a 1966 graduate of Pella Community High School, and a 1971 graduate of Central...