VAN ROEKEL, JOHN G. A. AND MARTHA (WIERDA)

John and Martha Van Roekel have their roots long established in the Sioux Center area. They attended school in Sioux Center and after their marriage February 20, 1942, they farmed one mile north and one and a fourth mile east of Sioux Center. Martha taught school in the country school in Garfield and Welcome township for five years, and later ran the cafe in the Tri State Sales Barn in Sioux Center for twenty years. After retiring from farming John and Martha built a new home at 338 Second Street N.E. in Sioux Center. John continued helping on the farm run by his sons Larry and Michael. John also does some custom lawn work with his mowing tractor. Martha enjoys various hobbies which include painting china and making dolls.

John G.A. Van Roekel was born February 14, 1918 Sioux Center to Geurt "Gerrit" Van Roekel and Hattie Vande Berg. (See their separate story.) On February 20, 1942 he married Martha Wierda. Martha was born January 26, 1920 to Martin Wierda and Ida De Lange. (See Martin Wierda's separate story.)

John G.A. Van Roekel Family. Back row L-R: Mike Van Roekel,Larry Van Roekel, Stanley Oordt
and Jeffery Harcum. Middle row: Judy (Mrs. Mike Van Roekel), Carolyn (Mrs. Larry Van Roekel),
Faye Van Roekel, Virginia (Mrs. Stanley Oordt), and Janet (Mrs. Jeffery Harcum).Front row L-R:
Shawna Van Roekel, Martha (Mrs. John G.A. Van Roekel),Chad Van Roekel, Eric Oordt, John
G.A. Van Roekel, and Meryl Harcum. Four children in front: Joshua Van Roekel, Brian and
Teresa Oordt, and Andrew Harcum.

John and Martha Van Roekel are the parents of four children who are as follows.

Larry Van Roekel was born February 23, 1947 and he married Carolyn De Boer on July 8, 1967. Carolyn was born November of 1946. Larry works for EMW Groschoop Inc. of Sioux Center. Larry and Carolyn Van Roekel are the parents of two children, Faye L. Van Roekel born February 25, 1974 and Chad J. Van Roekel born April 21, 1977.

Janet S. Van Roekel was born January 17, 1951 and she married Jeffery Harcum on May 12, 1973. Jeffery Harcum was born April 4, 1950. Janet graduated from the College of Pharmacy at the University of Iowa, and is the Assistant Director of Pharmacy Services at St. Luke's Regional Medical Center in Sioux City, IA. Jeff Harcum works for Siouxland Metropolitan Council (SIMPCO) in Sioux City, IA. Janet and Jeff Harcum. have two children, Meryl J. Harcum. born January 8, 1982 and Andrew Neal Harcum born October 18, 1984.

Virginia Van Roekel was born April 19, 1955, and she married Stanley Oordt. Stanley Oordt was born July 16, 1949. Virginia bas a Home Economics Degree from Westmar College, and Stan is an electrician. They live south of Sioux Center. Virginia and Stan Oordt have three children: Eric M. Oordt born December 26, 1977, Brian S. Oordt born May 27, 1980 and Teresa Oordt born May 4, 1982.

Michael J. Van Roekel was bom. February 22, 1961, and he married Judy Boersma. Judy was born. March 18, 1960. Michael works for Vande Berg Scales as well as does same farming on the farm where they live. Judy works at Casey's Bakery. Mike and Judy have two children, Shawna L. Van Roekel born July 3, 1980 and Joshua John Van Roekel born January 21, 1985.

By John G. A. Van Roekel