Leora Caroline Christensen was born on April 4, 1921, in Deer Creek Township, Webster County, near Fort Dodge, Iowa. The oldest daughter of Alfred and Marie Christensen, she was baptized on May 15,1921, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Leora was confirmed on Sept. 2, 1934, at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church near Sully. In 1921, her family moved to a farm in the Pella area, where she attended Sandridge School until the sixth grade and then Sheesley School in Mahaska County for seventh and eighth grade. The family moved to a farm near Kellogg in 1936 and then to Tracy in 1942.
Leora married Frank Beyer at her parents' home on Jan. 14, 1942, under a pink and white arch with silver bells. To this union three children were born: Joyce, Carolyn, and Verlyn. Frank and Leora farmed for many years near Otley, Galesburg, and Sully before finally moving to a farm between Sully and Reasnor in 1949. In 1979, they moved to their home in Sully.
Leora was devoted to her husband and to her children. She was a member of St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, where she was actively involved with Evangelical Lutheran Church Women, church socials, Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. She loved to crochet, sew, quilt, work puzzles and play cards with her family and neighbors. During the summer months, she kept busy canning, baking and preparing coffee and lunch for men working on the farm. Leora went to her heavenly home on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, in Osage Beach, Mo., at the age of 92.
She was preceded in death by her father, Alfred Christensen; her mother, Hope Marie Christensen; her sister, Anna Christensen; and her beloved husband, Frank Beyer.
Those left to cherish her memory are her two daughters, Joyce Lauterbach of Columbia, S.C., and Carolyn Schnell of San Diego, Calif.; her son, Verlyn Beyer of Eldon, Mo.; grandchildren, Arianne Robinson, Michael Schnell, Jan Rippentrop and Matthew Schnell; great-grandchildren, Tessera Rippentrop, Ana Rippentrop and Jonathan Schnell; sister Christina Shilling; and brothers Alfred Jr. Christensen and Marinus Christensen.
Burial will take place at the St. Andrew's Cemetery near Sully. Memorials may be given to St. Andrew's Lutheran Church or American Parkinson Disease Association-Iowa Chapter. The Garden Chapel Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
The Newton (IA) Daily News.
On February 18, 1943, she was united in marriage with Herman William Bokhoven, the first of ten children born to Hermanus W. and Antonia C.(Verploegh)Bokhoven, at the parsonage of the Sully Reformed Church in Sully. Marie and Herman were blessed with three children: Marilyn Faye, Helen Joann and William Henry. They began their married Life of 54 years together near Fremont, Iowa. In 1944 they moved west of New Sharon, Iowa where they raised their family. Herman and Marie farmed for 50 years and Marie assumed a very active role in the operation. In addition to these responsibilities she enjoyed gardening and canning the produce. In 1994 they retired and moved into Pella, Iowa. Herman passed away in 1997 and following his death Marie contnued living in Pella and became a resident at Jefferson Place in September, 2010. Marie passed away there peacefully Monday, October 3, 2011, at the age of 93 years.
Those left to cherish her memory are her three children and their spouses, 10 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. They and their families are: Marilyn and Delmar Vos of Leighton, Iowa, Kevin and Robin Vos of Pella, Iowa, Matthew Nicholas, Mark Henry, Emily Elizabeth, Duane and Stephanie Vos of Pella, Iowa, Hanna Marie, Katelyn Nicole, Seth Alan, Curt Vos of Pella, Iowa, Lori and Josh Warkentin of Sioux Rapids, Iowa, Helen and Lawrence Roose of Peoria, Iowa, Doris and Jan George of Sioux City, Iowa, Mikayla Ann, Peyton Marie, Sydney Janae, Lee and Tracey Roose of Webster City, Iowa, Sean Michael, Grant Allen, Danielle Nicole, Linn and Jill Roose of Pella, Iowa, Lucas Alexander, Levi Anthony, Rianna Nicole, William and Susan(Kempema)Bokhoven of Ames, Iowa, Nicolas and Karla Bokhoven of Encinitas, California, Luke William, Mark Bokhoven of Denver, Colorado, Eric Bokhoven of San Diego, California.
Marie leaves one sister, Jeanetta(Henry)Olsthoorn of Pella, Iowa along with the following sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Leora(Frank)Beyer of Missouri, Sandy(Ben) Beyer of Grinnell, Iowa, Leo(Nellie Beyer)Vande Krol of Pella; Jeanne(Bokhoven)and Dr. Clarence Vos of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Irene(Bokhoven)and Lawrence Blom, Dean Bokhoven, Anne Bokhoven all of Pella, Leonard(Minnie Bokhoven) and Ruth Roose of Phoenix, Arizona; and many nieces and nephews.
Marie was preceded in death by her dear husband, Herman; her parents, John and Trinnie Beyer; three sisters: Grace, who died in infancy, Pauline and her husband, Melvin Nikkel, Nellie Vande Krol; her five brothers: Frank Beyer, Paul Beyer and his wife, Lucille, Ben Beyer, Chris Beyer, Fred Beyer, her brother-in-law, Henry Olsthoorn; her parents-in-law, H.W. and Antonia Bokhoven; and the following brothers-in-law and sister-in-law: Henry, Anthony, Gerrit and Arthur Bokhoven and Minnie(Bokhoven)Roose.
Marie will always be remembered as a loving mother who nurtured her children in the Christian faith and who also enjoyed her time with her children, grandchildren and especially her great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Friday, October 7, 2011 at 10:30 am at Peoria Christian Reformed Church, Peoria, Iowa. Interment will follow in the Peoria Cemetery at Peoria, Iowa. Visitation will begin Thursday at Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home where the fmily will be present Thursday from 5-7 pm. For those desiring, memorials may be given for the Peoria Christian Reformed Church at Peoria or Hospice of Pella, Iowa.
Funeral services for Herman Bokhoven, 82, of Pella were held November 4, 1997 at the Peoria Christian Reformed Church in Peoria. He passed away October 31 at the Pella Regional Health Center. Rev. Ralph Menning officiated the Family Prayer Service and Rev. Ronald L. Bouwkamp officiated the service. Music was provided by Susan and Eric Bokhoven performing a piano duet, the vocal quartet of Lawrence, John C , Ernie and Mark Roose, and Mrs. Marge Fynaardt, organist. Casket bearers were Kevin, Duane, and Curt Vos, Lee and Linn Roose,..Nicolas, Mark, and Eric Bokhoven. Interment with Rev. Ralph Menning officiating, was in Peoria Cemetery in Peoria, Iowa.
Herman William Bokhoven was born January 15,1915 near Taintor, Iowa, the son of Hermanus W. and Antonia C. (Verploegh) Bokhoven. He attended the Lunt Country Grade School near Taintor.
On February 18, 1943, he married Mane Beyer at Sully, Iowa. The couple had three children. He received his high school education in General Education Development from Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa in 1977. Herman farmed near New Sharon, Iowa for fifty years, as well as being an assessor for Mahaska County and working for the ASCS program. They moved to Pella in 1977 when Herman retired.
He was a life-long member of the Peoria Christian Reformed Church in Peoria where he served as Deacon and Elder.
Survivors include his wife, their children and their spouses: Marilyn and Delmar Vos of Leighton, Iowa, Helen and Lawrence Roose of Peoria, Iowa, Bill and Susan Bokhoven of Ames, Iowa; ten grandchildren, three great grandchildren and the following brothers and sisters and their spouses: Gerrit and Dee Bokhoven of New Sharon, Iowa, Jeanne and Dr. Clarence Vos of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Arthur and Phyllis Bokhoven, Irene and Lawrence Blom, Dena Bokhoven, and Anne Bokhoven, all of Pella, and a brother-in-law, Leonard (Lee) Roose of Phoenix, Arizona.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers: Henry and Anthony Bokhoven, and a sister, Minnie (Lee) Roose.
Memorials may be designated for Peoria Christian Grade School in Peoria, Iowa, or the Christian Opportunity Center in Pella. Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
(From the Pella Chronicle, November 13, 1997)
Jeanetta Beyer Olsthoorn was born on May 9, 1920, to John and Trinnie Eeling Beyer
near Sully, Iowa.
She went to her eternal home on Tuesday, November 18, 2014, at the age of ninety-four.
Jeanetta attended Taylor School near Sully. Her first job was at the Maasdam Sorghum Mill cooking for the men that worked there. Then she worked in different homes as a hired girl. On January 27, 1944, she was united in marriage with Henry Olsthoorn at the Sully Christian Reformed Church parsonage. They were blessed with one daughter, Sheryl Lynn. During the first years of marriage they lived near Reasnor, then moved to a farm north of Sully, where her daughter now resides She was employed at the Coffee Cup Café in Sully for thirty years. During her employment at the Coffee Cup, she worked for seven different owners.
She was known by her family and all who knew her as an excellent cook and baker. Jeanetta was a member of the Sully Christian Reformed Church and a member of the Ruth Circle. She also served as a 4H leader. Henry and Jeanetta moved to Sully in 1974. She then went to Fair Haven East in 2008 and to Jefferson Place in 2011, where she resided till the time of her death.
Those honoring her memory are: her daughter and son-in-law: Sheryl and Craig Baarda; two grandsons and their wives: Ryan and Gina Baarda and their children, Shykira, Camden, and Logan, Shaun and Kristy Baarda and their daughter, Brooke. Jeanetta is also survived by her sister-in-law, Sandy Beyer, and brother-in-law, Leo Vande Krol.
Jeanetta was preceded in death by her husband, Henry, in 1984; her brothers: Paul (Lucille) Beyer, Ben Beyer, Fred Beyer, Frank (Leora) Beyer and Chris Beyer; her sisters: Grace, who died in infancy, Marie (Herman) Bokhoven, Pauline (Melvin) Nikkel, and Nellie Vande Krol.
The son of John and Trinni (Eling) Beyer, he was born Jan. 20, 1922, in rural Lynnville. He attended Taylor School through the eighth grade. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1942 and served in the South Pacific during World War II.
He and his wife, (Darlene) Sandy married Aug. 4, 1949, in Nashua. He enjoyed farming and nurturing hundreds of fruit and evergreen trees, hunting and fishing. In his later years, he and his wife enjoyed many bus tours across the country.
Survivors include his wife; two sons, Bryce and Dennis of Lynnville; three daughters and sons-in-law, Sharon and Dean Renaud of Sully, Jan and Wes Conover of Sully and Kathy Beyer and Chuck Ross of Hinesburg, Vt.; eight grandchildren; four sisters, Marie Bokhoven of Pella, Jeanetta Olsthoorn, Nellie and Leo VanderKrol and Pauline and Melvin Nikkel, all of Sully; and two sisters-in-law, Leora Beyer of Sully and Lucille Beyer of Greenville, S.C.
The Newton Daily News, Newton, Iowa Wed 15 Oct 2003.
Nellie Beyer Vande Krol was born April 23, 1926, to John and Trinnie (Eeling) Beyer
in the Lynn Grove Township, near Sully.
She was educated in the Taylor and Lynnville schools.
Nellie was united in marriage with Leo Vande Krol on April 6, 1951, in the First Reformed Church parsonage. Nellie worked at the Sully Co-Op Creamery for 42 years doing milk testing and butter packaging. She also worked for 10 years at Central College in Pella. Nellie was a long time member of the Sully First Reformed Church.
Nellie loved nurturing her nieces and nephews, and especially children with special needs. Nellie enjoyed her pets, and will be remembered as a faithful, loving wife and homemaker.
She is survived by her husband, Leo, of Pella; her sisters Marie Bokhoven and Jeanetta Olsthoorn, both of Pella; and a host of extended family.
Nellie was preceded in death by her parents, John and Trinnie; her brothers Frank, Paul, Ben, Chris, and Fred Beyer; her sisters Pauline Nikkel, and Grace, who died in infancy, her brothers-in-law Russell Vande Krol and Lloyd Vande Krol, and her sisters-in-law Lucille De Greef and Treva Meppelink.
Nellie will be missed by her family and her many friends.
Leo Vande Krol was born November 24, 1927, to John and Lillian (Kruseman) Vande Krol,
south of Lynnville.
He attended Ludwick country school near Lynnville.
Leo was united in marriage with Nellie Beyer on April 6, 1951, in the First Reformed Church parsonage in Sully. Leo trucked most of his life. He was in partnership with his brother Russ with Lynnville Transport. He later drove for Sully Co-op and Zylstra Express. Leo and Nellie were both passionate about helping special-needs children. They lived a humble, private life and enjoyed traveling. Leo was a long time member of the First Reformed Church in Sully. He accepted Christ as his personal savior as a young man.
He is survived by his brothers Lehrl and (Ruth) Vande Krol Dan and (Sandy) Vande Krol, and his sisters-in-law Margaret Vande Krol and Sandy Beyer.
Leo was preceded in death by his wife Nellie, his parents, John and Lillian Vande Krol and step-mother Edna Vande Krol; his siblings: Russell (Johanna) Vande Krol, Lloyd (Adelaide) Vande Krol; Lucille (Martin) De Greef, Treva (John) Meppelink, brothers and sisters-in-law: Frank (Leora) Beyer, Paul (Lucille) Beyer, Ben Beyer, Chris Beyer, Fred Beyer, Marie (Herman) Bokhoven, Jeanetta (Henry) Olsthoorn, Pauline (Melvin) Nikkel, Grace Beyer who died in infancy. and many nieces and nephews.
Leo will be missed by his family and many friends.
[Garden Chapel Funeral Home web site]
On March 3, 1951, she was joined in marriage to her neighbor Melvin Nikkel, a son of Johannas Phillipus and Lizzie (Baarda) Nikkel. To this union four children were born: Sandra Kay, Ronald Eugene, Nancy Sue "Susie" and Randal Lee. Melvin and Pauline faithfully and lovingly attended to the needs of their daughter Susie until her death in 1990. Melvin and Pauline farmed near Sully. Pauline worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant for the Christian Opportunity Center in Pella for 20 years, retiring in January of 2005. She found her client's sincere faith in God and their smiles very rewarding. Pauline also drove bus for the Sully Christian Grade School for over 20 years and enjoyed the relationships she made with these students.
After retirement, the couple moved to 802 3rd Street in Sully. After a long illness, Melvin passed away at Hospice of Pella Comfort House on June 3, 2005, at the age of 73 years. Pauline sustained a brain aneurysm on May 3, 2005 and was transported and cared for at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinic, before transferring to the Pella Regional Health Center on June 16, 2005.
Those left to cherish her memory are their three children, their spouses and their families. They are: Sandy and Lawrence Van Zee of Sully, Ron and Vickie (Fleck) Nikkel of Lynnville and Randy and Judy (Higginbotham) Nikkel of Sully. Of her original family, Pauline leaves her three sisters; Marie (Herman) Bokhoven of Pella, Jeanetta (Henry) Olsthoorn of Sully, Nellie (Leo) Vande Krol of Sully, and three sisters-in-law; Sandy (Ben) Beyer of Lynnville, Lucille (Paul) Beyer of South Carolina and Leora (Frank) Beyer of Sully. Of Melvin's original family she leaves his brother, Norman and Treva Nikkel of Searsboro; his sister, Matilda Louise "Sis" and Gerrit Roozeboom of Oskaloosa; and two sisters-in-law, Betty (Mrs. Clair Nikkel) of Laurel and Betty (Mrs. Bernie Nikkel) of New Sharon.
Pauline was preceded in death by her dear husband of 54 years, Melvin, her parents John and Trinnie Beyer; daughter Nancy who passed away on May 1, 1990; five brothers, Frank, Paul, Ben, Chris and Fred Beyer; a sister, Grace who died in infancy; and grandson Clinton Lee Nikkel on December 25, 2004.
Pauline was a member of Sully Christian Reformed Church and active in Vacation Bible School. She enjoyed gardening, cleaning, cooking and baking, especially pies. She will be remembered for being caring, attentive and faithful to her family. She will be remembered as a loving wife who, along with her dear husband Melvin, nurtured her children and grandchildren in their Christian faith.
For those desiring, memorials may be made to the Christian Opportunity Center or Sully Christian School Bus Fund.
The Pella Chronicle, July 7, 2005, contributor: Ron Steenhoek
The son of Johannas Phillipus and Lizzie (Baarda) Nikkel, he was born April 19, 1932, in rural Sully. He completed the eighth grade at Case Country School, south of Sully. After his schooling, he began working on the farm and raising cattle.
On March 3, 1951, he married his neighbor Pauline Beyer, a daughter of John and Trinnie (Eeling) Beyer. They farmed near Sully. He raised dairy cattle until 1970 and enjoyed cattle and hog raising until retirement in 2003. After retirement, the couple moved to Sully.
Mr. Nikkel was a member of Sully Co-op and Farm Bureau and enjoyed spending time as an honorary member of the Fleck Feed Bullpen and Cross Bros. Implement Gang. He was a lifetime member of Sully Christian Reformed Church.
He is survived by his wife; three children, Sandra (Lawrence) Van Zee of Sully, Ron (Vickie) Nikkel of Lynnville and Randy (Judy) Nikkel of Sully; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a brother, Norman (Treva) Nikkel of Searsboro; a sister, Matilda Louise "Sis" (Gerrit) Roozeboom of Oskaloosa; and two sisters-in-law, Betty Nikkel of Laurel and Betty Nikkel of New Sharon.
He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Nancy; three brothers Bernie J. Nikkel, Clarence (Clair) Nikkel and Joe Nikkel; two sisters, Matilda Nikkel and Louise Nikkel; and a grandson.
Newton (IA) Daily News, Monday, June 6, 2005
Contributor: Ron Steenhoek