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.