ROCK VALLEY, Iowa -- Anna Vande Weerd, 78, of Pella, Iowa, formerly of Rock Valley,
passed away Monday, Aug. 23, 2010, at the Pella Regional Health Center.
Services will be 10 a.m. Friday at the First Reformed Church in Rock Valley.
The Rev. Dr. Michael Van Hamersveld will officiate.
Interment will be in Valley View Cemetery, Rock Valley.
Visitation will be after 5:30 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m., at the
church.
Arrangements are with the Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City, Iowa.
You may express your sympathy at www.oolman.com.
Anna Pearl Van Gelder was born Feb. 9, 1932, in Orange City, the daughter of Dick and Nellie (Kroeze) Van Gelder. She was raised in Orange City, where she attended the Christian Grade School and graduated in 1950 from the high school. She then attended Northwestern College in Orange City to obtain her teaching degree. For several years, she taught at elementary schools in Calumet, Sutherland, and Alton, Iowa.
Soon after graduating from college, she met Robert J. Vande Weerd at the Sioux Center (Iowa) Roller Rink. They were united in marriage on June 19, 1957, at First Christian Reformed Church in Orange City. Bob and Ann made their home in Rock Valley, where they were blessed with two sons, Samuel and Thomas. She spent her time as a homemaker, while the boys were young. Later she returned to teaching at River Valley School in Rock Valley, a part of Area Education Agency 4, where she worked with mentally and physically challenged children. In spite of a 40-year battle with Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ann still enjoyed teaching, gardening, baking for her family, especially her grandchildren, visiting antique shops with Bob, and spending time with her dog, Abby. Recently, in 2009, Bob and Ann relocated to Pella to be nearer to family. Early on Monday morning, she suffered a severe stroke and went to be with her heavenly father.
She is survived by her husband of more than 53 years; two sons and their wives, Sam and Jill (Van Zee) of Pella, and Tom and Tami (Hass) of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; five grandchildren, Bailey, Zachary, and Ross of Pella, and Kiley and Colin of Cedar Rapids; a sister, Betty Brown of Spencer, Iowa; a brother and his wife, Gerben and Jan Van Gelder of Corpus Christi, Texas, and Spirit Lake; a sister-in-law, Eleanor Van Gelder of Alton, Iowa; a brother-in-law and his wife, Norm and Esther Gunnink of Boone, Iowa; and numerous nephews and nieces.
In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by a brother, Reynold Van Gelder; two sisters and their husbands, Marjorie and John Swets and Etta and Wally Zwagerman; a brother-in-law, Gene Brown; and her parents-in-law, Bert and Mary Vande Weerd.
Memorials will be directed to Hope Haven in Rock Valley.
Esther Gunnink, age 80 of Boone, died June 15, 2017 at her home.
Following her wishes, Esther has been cremated.
A Memorial Service will be held Friday, June 23, 2017 at 11:00 a.m., at the First
Presbyterian Church, with Rev. Denise Group officiating.
Prior to the service, a family graveside service and burial will be in the Linwood
Park Cemetery.
Esther Martena (Vande Weerd) Gunnink, was born November 19, 1936 in Rock Valley, Iowa, the daughter of Bert and Mary (Wesselink) Vande Weerd. She graduated from Rock Valley High School in 1955 where she was an honorable mention honoree in girls' basketball. In 1957, Esther graduated from Northwestern Junior College in Orange City, Iowa. This fueled her lifelong passion to educate, mentor, and encourage children and young people. Esther taught elementary grades in Rock Rapids and Hull, Iowa.
On July 2, 1958, Esther married Norman Gunnink in Rock Valley. They raised a family of one son and three daughters. In 1972, they moved to Boone where she worked as production supervisor for the Boone County Shopping News. Esther was a member of the First Presbyterian Church where she served as an elder and on numerous committees. Her life centered around her family, and she was proud of her children's 13 high school and college graduations, three marriages, one ordination, and seven grandchildren. She lovingly made counted cross-stitch ornaments, pictures, and many creations for her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. They will remain as priceless treasures as they mourn her loss and remember her life well-lived, her frequent laughter, and her many accomplishments culminating in the countless memories they made with her.
Esther is preceded in death by her parents and a brother Bob.
She is survived by her devoted husband, Norman of Boone; her children and grandchildren: Brett (Elaine) Gunnink of Bozeman, Montana and their children, Erin (Austin) Troth, Paige Gunnink, and Rachel Gunnink; Keely (Mark) Evans of Lenexa, Kansas and their children, Blake (Amanda) Evans, and Brooke Evans; Colette (Brad) Ruth of Janesville and their children, Emily Ruth and Jacob Ruth; and Roslyn Gunnink of Ames.