Nancy's notes about Anthonie
Have seen Epe, Ede and Wageningen as birth towns for Anthonie. Richard Van Roekel says it was Epe. Certificate of Anthonie's family move to America lists his birthplace as Ede. Have also seen death year as 1953. Anthonie came to America in Dec. 1874 with his parents and siblings Hendrik, Jantje and Aart. Anthonie was 5 1/2 at the time. "Tone" married Gertrude in the Pella Third Reformed Church parsonage. The roads were so muddy that they went to Pella in a two-wheel "whipper" cart instead of the usual "top buggy".
The first 2 years of their married life were spent farming a farm in Black Oak township, near Leighton, Iowa. In 1896, they moved 4 miles east of Pella to a little brick house in a lane. It had a fairly good sized kitchen and a small bedroom downstairs, and 2 small bedrooms upstairs. 3 of their children were born in that house: Stevanna, Anna and Louis. In 1903, they moved 2 miles east and 2 miles north of Pella, where Harriet and Otto were born.
Tone suffered from a bad case of asthma. There were times in the winter that he would catch a cold. He coughed so badly that he would land on the floor and be crawling on his knees. Many people advised him to go to another climate. His mother was sure that the climate in Holland would help him. She wanted him to try it so badly that she and his father paid for him to travel there to see if it would help. The trip to Holland was useless as it did not help his asthma and he returned home. Gertrude's step-sister Nettie Pothoven, also has asthma and had gone to Prairie View, Kansas and found relief.
In the fall of 1906, Tone went alone to Prairie View, Kansas, where he, too, found relief for his asthma and in 1907, he moved his family there. At that time they had 5 children. The last child, Richard, was born in Prairie View.
Kansas was going through a severe drought for 7 years, and there were no
crops to speak of, so the family returned to Iowa in 1914. They moved
their household and animals by train boxcar. They rented a farm near
Leighton, Iowa and in 1915 moved east of Wright, Iowa to the "Unsucker
place". They lived there for 20 years.
After leaving that farm they made several moves - the last home together
being east of Oskaloosa and the place where Gertrude died.
After Gertrude's death, Tone made his home with his brother, Aart, in
Pella while working in a produce house and a nephew's plumbing shop.
For a few years before his death, he lived with his children.
Tone died at the home of Louis (his son) and Maggie Van Roekel
in Oskaloosa. He is buried in Forest Cemetery, Oskaloosa, Iowa.
This story was primarily written by Anna Den Hartog.
Memories of Anthonie (Tone) by his grandchildren:
"I remember driving our "T Ford" in a large circle on their barnyard at the age of 4 or 5. I loved to ride Grandpa's pony and walk to the orchard to help Grandpa as he cared for the smoking of meat. Grandpa taught me how to chop off a chicken's head and also to skin it and fry it in home made butter." - Joyce
"Those last years he took turns living in his children's homes (after grandma had died)...I loved him and he would tease me and I would torment him. He was teaching me to ride the bicycle and one day I thought he was holding on to my bike and I turned around and he was gone - I was riding alone. I didn't need help after that." - Judy
"One time I asked him how come he knew everything and he said it was because he had made so many mistakes and you learn from your mistakes." - Melvin
Nancy's notes about Gertrude
Also seen spelled Van Den Vleckkert and various other spellings. However, Van De Vlekkert appears to be on their marriage certificate. It is also spelled van de Vlekkert on her father's birth and marriage certificates. Came to America in 1887 with her mother Anna (Brummel) van de Vlekkert, grandparents Wolter Brummel and Dirkje (van Zuuk) Brummel, and brother Arend van de Vlekkert and sister Dirkje van de Vlekkert.
Memories of Gertrude from her grandchildren:
"Grandma had a very large garden and had a kitchen in the basement. The 'girls' always helped her can meat and make bologna. She was also a good seamstress and made quilts." - Joyce
"I remember going to grandma's and thinking how great it was to turn on a switch and there was light - or to flush the toilet - what fun! I remember her Christmas trees, I can still see those ornaments. I remember her taking me to a restaurant in the block of the old Montgomery Ward store and getting a coney island...their dog Colonel..playing games in the front yard with cousins or neighbors...staying all night.." - Evelyn
"I remember riding in a cart pulled by a pony named Phoebe. Also riding a horse in a circle running a corn elevator, and taking a bath in a real bath tub. Grandma always had fresh and dried fruit and candy. She also read Bible story books." - Melvin
Gertrude had diabetes and lost her sight in one eye. She died due to open sores on her back from the diabetes. She and Tone were members of the Central Reformed Church, Oskaloosa, Iowa since 1915. She is buried in Forest Cemetery, Oskaloosa, Iowa.
Junior Van Roekel
January 17, 1938 - September 8, 2018
Obituary for Junior Van Roekel
Junior Van Roekel, 80, of Oskaloosa, passed away Saturday evening, September 8, 2018, at the Mahaska Health Partnership Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa.
Otto Junior Van Roekel, son of Otto Henry and Caroline (Van Hulzen) Van Roekel, was born January 17, 1938, in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Junior attended grade school in Rose Hill and was a 1956 graduate of Oskaloosa High School. His first job was with Wake Feed Mill where he worked for several years. He was later hired by Binns and Stevens and worked as a foreman for 26 years. In 1991, he went to work for Oskaloosa Food Products as the transportation supervisor/foreman. He retired from full-time employment in 2012 but continued to work part-time at Osky Food until a month prior to his death.
Junior married the love-of-his-life, Cecelia Reese, on July 4, 1961, at the Central United Methodist Church Chapel in Oskaloosa. They raised their family in Oskaloosa and Junior was a member of Central Reformed Church for over 60 years. Family was always Junior’s first priority, he was truly a giving and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend; and showed his love and kindness through his actions. He was a man of deep faith, and though he was a man of few words, his convictions were very evident in his service to others.
Junior was also a member of the Oskaloosa Indians Booster Club and the Babe Ruth Board of Directors; he loved cheering on his grandchildren in their sporting events. Junior had the ability to fix anything and loved tinkering on his cars. He enjoyed the out-of-doors and working in his yard; he had a meticulous way about him that was apparent in his vehicles, yard, and home. Junior also enjoyed the many friendships at his coffee group.
Junior’s family includes his wife of 57 years, Cecelia; his children: Scott and Wendy Van Roekel of Oskaloosa and Shari Day, also of Oskaloosa; grandchildren: Justin (Danielle) Day and Jacey and Jaden Van Roekel; great-grandchildren: Jeren and Jordan Day. He is also survived by his siblings, Wayne Van Roekel of Oskaloosa, Joleen (Bob) Van Arkel-Peterson, and Lois Van Arkel-Alexander; a special brother-in-law, Jerry (Ramona) Reese; and special nieces: Kathy Walker, Susie Walker-Milburn, Beth Walker-Brown, and many other special nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Junior was preceded in death by his step-mother, Artie Van Arkel-Van Roekel; his brother, John A Van Roekel; a sister, Dorothy Van Roekel-DeGroot; his wife’s parents, David E. and Agnes Reese; sisters-in-law: Donna Reese-Bambrook, Diana Reese-(Karl) Walker-(Jack) Stout, and Shirley Reese-Cubit; and brother-in-law, Davey Reese.
Funeral Services for Junior will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, September 12, at the Central Reformed Church with Rev. Jon Nelson officiating. A family prayer service will be held at 10:15 a.m. in the church’s east lounge. Private burial will be held in Forest Cemetery. Visitation will begin after 9 a.m., Tuesday, at Langkamp Funeral Chapel & Crematory; the family will greet visitors from 5-7 p.m., Tuesday evening at the chapel. Memorials can be made to MHP Hospice Serenity House, the Oskaloosa Booster Club or Central Reformed Church.
Artie passed away Saturday evening at the Oskaloosa Care Center at the age of 95 years, 1 month and 16 days.
Artie Elizabeth Van Roekel, daughter of Herman and Elizabeth Van Rees Veerman, was born May 31, 1916 at the rural home of her parents near Oskaloosa, Iowa. Artie attended country schools and was a 1934 graduate of Rose Hill High School. She continued her education at William Penn College where she was certified to teach in rural schools. She taught in Bald Prairie School and Brush Street School, where she taught her brother and sister.
Artie married Clifford Balsem Van Arkel May 31, 1939. They made their home south of Beacon where they famed. To this union two daughters were born, Joleen and Lois. Clifford passed away October 8, 1945.
Artie married Otto Henry Van Roekel January 27, 1949. They farmed until 1954 when they moved to Wright after which Artie also did substitute teaching. In 1965, Artie and Otto moved into Oskaloosa at which time she began providing homecare to elderly residents. Arti was a lifetime member of Central Reformed Church which her grandparents helped to organize. She enjoyed sewing, reading and gardening. Otto passed away May 7, 1996. In her later years, Artie was a resident of Maple Ridge Assisted Living and in April of 2011 deteriorating health required her move to the Oskaloosa Care Center.
Artie's family includes her children: Joleen(Bob)Peterson of Lincoln, NE; Lois(Walt)Alexander of Temple, GA: and Wayne Van Roekel of Oskaloosa; step-children, Junior(Cecelia)Van Roekel of Oskaloosa and step-son-in-law, John DeGroot of Rose Hill, Iowa; 10 grandchildren: Richard DeGroot, Roger DeGroot, Randal DeGroot, Ruth Gott, Dana Leydens, Gayle Van Gorp, Eric Peterson, Jill Wertz, Scott Van Roekel and Shari Day, 14 great-grandchildren and three great great-grandchildren; a sister, Helen Carriker and a sister-in-law, Martha Veerman, both of Oskaloosa.
Besides her parents and both of her husbands, Artie was preceded in death by five brothers: Herman, John, Roy, Ernest and Floyd "Bill" Veerman and three sisters: Nellie Talbert, Dorothy McCombs, and Henrietta Newenhouse; a step-daughter, Dorothy DeGroot and a step-son, John A. Van Roekel.
Funeral Service at 10:30 am Wednesday morning, July 20, 2011 at Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel with Rev. Donald DeGlopper of the Central Reformed Church officiating. Visitation will be held from 10 am -7 pm Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at the funeral chapel. Interment in Forest Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Central Reformed Church.
Richard Henry Van Roekel, 91, of Oskaloosa, died Monday, October 27, 2003, at Pleasant Park Estates in Oskaloosa. He was born March 17, 1912 at Prairie View, Kansas, the son of A.T. (Tone) and Gertrude Vander Vlekkert Van Roekel. In 1914, he moved to IA with his family, and they settled on a farm near Wright in Mahaska County.
On August 12, 1938, he was united in marriage to Bernice E. Van Ommen at the bride's home near Oskaloosa. Together, they farmed in Mahaska County for many years; northeast of Oskaloosa from 1958 until 1994. Early in his adult life, he also drove a school bus for the Lacey school. While farming, he worked for Wake Feed, Oskaloosa Produce, and Bloom Builders for many years. In their retirement years, they enjoyed traveling by car to many parts of the United States. Richard was a life long member of the Central Reformed Church, Oskaloosa.
Richard is survived by his wife of over 65 years, Bernice of Oskaloosa; 3 sons and their wives: Elmer Van Roekel of West Des Moines, Gerald and Janice Van Roekel of Sioux Center, and Leroy and Melanie Van Roekel of Wilton; 2 daughters and their husbands: Donna and Howard DeGroot of Oskaloosa and Carol and Glen DeZwarte of Newton; 13 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; and a sister in law: Artie Van Roekel of Oskaloosa; and sisters in law: Dorothy Uitermarkt and Wilma (& Henry) Van Roekel, all of Pella; and Jeanette Ver Steegh of Oskaloosa.
He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son: Marvin Wayne Van Roekel; 3 sisters: Stevanna Van De Wege, Anna Den Hartog, and Harriet Van Ommen; and 2 brothers: Louis and Otto Van Roekel.
Bernice E. Van Roekel, 91, of Oskaloosa, died Monday, October 24, 2005, at White Oak Estates in Oskaloosa. She was born on January, 28, 1914, in rural Leighton, the daughter of Dick and Jennie De Bruin Van Ommen. On December 13, 1930, she made her profession of faith at Central Reformed Church. She graduated from Pella High School with the class of 1931. Following high school, she taught school in rural schools for six years. On August 12, 1938, Bernice was united in marriage to Richard H. Van Roekel at her home near Oskaloosa. Following their marriage, they farmed, and Bernice helped on the farm, especially in the garden and raising chickens. In 1994, they moved into Oskaloosa. They lived at Fairhaven in Pella for a year where all of her sisters lived, and then back to Oskaloosa. Richard died October 27, 2003.
From 1968 until 1998, she worked as a clerk at Jaarsma Bakery in Oskaloosa. Bernice was a long time member of Central Reformed Church in Oskaloosa, and was active in women's groups, and Bible study, and had been a Sunday and Bible School teacher. She enjoyed gardening; crocheting; making afghans; and in retirement, traveling. Her family was of utmost importance to her.
Her family includes 3 sons and 2 daughters in law: Elmer Van Roekel of West Des Moines, Gerald and Janice Van Roekel of Sioux Center, and Leroy and Melanie Van Roekel of Wilton, IA; 2 daughters and their husbands: Donna and Howard DeGroot of Oskaloosa and Carol and Glen DeZwarte of Newton; 13 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; 2 sisters: Dorothy Uitermarkt of Pella and Jeanette Ver Steegh of Oskaloosa; and a sister in law: Artie Van Roekel of Oskaloosa.
Besides her husband, Bernice was preceded in death by her parents; a son in infancy: Marvin Van Roekel; and a sister: Wilma Van Roekel.