Warren Van Roekel
Friday, November 25, 2005
Warren Van Roekel, 85, of Sioux Center, died early Wednesday morning, Nov. 23, 2005, at the Sioux Center Community Hospital in Sioux Center.
John Warren Van Roekel was born June 10, 1920, on the family farm near Sioux Center, one six sons born to the union of John G. and Sarah (Grotenhuis) Van Roekel. He was baptized and confirmed into the Christian faith. He attended country school near Sioux Center and later high school at Sioux Center High School where he graduated in 1938.
He was drafted into the United States Army in 1942. He served his country as a member of the John Deere Battalion #303 during World War II in England and Belgium. He was honorably discharged in 1946. Upon returning, he was united in marriage to Lillian Broek on Nov. 8, 1946, in Sioux Center. Together, they are the parents of three children, Lorene, Sharon, and Butch. The couple farmed north of Sioux Center for many years. Following his retirement, he went to work for Interstate Electric for 18 years, driving supplies to construction sites and doing various jobs around the shop.
Warren was a longtime member of First Reformed Church in Sioux Center, and the Veteran of Foreign Wars Post #6129 in Sioux Center. He and his wife enjoyed wintering in Arizona for many years. He loved his John Deere tractors and his Ford pickups. He enjoyed visiting with friends. He was handyman where he could fix just about anything. He will also be remembered for his humor. But most of all he loved the times spent with his family and he always looked forward to family get togethers. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Survivors include his wife of over 59 years, Lillian of Sioux Center; three children, Lorene Rexwinkel and her husband, John of Le Mars, Sharon Punt and her husband, Paul of Chanhassen, Minn., and Butch Van Roekel and his wife, Jan of Sioux Center; six grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; four brothers, Clinton Van Roekel and his wife, Flossie of George, Merle Van Roekel and his wife, JoAnn of Rock Rapids, the Rev. James Van Roekel and his wife, Erma Jean of Des Moines, and Arlin D. Van Roekel and his wife, Alvina of Sioux Center; a sister-in-law, Edna Van Roekel of Fulda, Minn.; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Gershom Van Roekel.
Services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at First Reformed Church in Sioux Center, with the Rev. Arnold Punt officiating. There will be a family prayer service at 9:45 a.m. on Saturday at the church with burial to follow in Memory Gardens in Sioux Center with military rites conducted by the Veteran of Foreign Wars Post #6129 and Doornink-Brusting American Legion Post #199 of Sioux Center. Visitation with the family present will be Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Memorial Funeral Home in Sioux Center. Arrangements are under the direction of the Carlsen Funeral Homes of Le Mars and Akron.
Honorary pallbearers will be his grandchildren: Tom Punt, Jill Eberle, Wendy Biddick, Jane Arnold, Neil Punt and Dan Rexwinkel.
Lillian Van Roekel, 81, of Sioux Center, Iowa, passed away Sunday, January 28, 2007 at her residence in Sioux Center.
Services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, February 1, 2007 at First Reformed Church in Sioux Center, Iowa. Reverend Arnold Punt will officiate. There will be a family prayer service at 9:45 a.m.Thursday at the church with burial to follow in Memory Gardens in Sioux Center. Visitations with the family present will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 31, 2007 at Memorial Funeral Home in Sioux Center. Arrangements are under the direction of the Carlsen Funeral Homes of Le Mars and Akron. Condolences can be sent to the family at [...].
Honorary Pall Bearers will be her grandchildren.
Lillian Van Roekel was born November 29, 1925 in Sioux Center, Iowa, the daughter of Bert and Dena (Kempers) Broek. She attended country school and later Hull Western Christian school in Hull, Iowa. She was united in marriage to Warren Van Roekel on November 8, 1946 in Sioux Center, Iowa. Together, they are the parents of three children, Lorene, Sharon, and Butch. The couple farmed north of Sioux Center for many years. Lillian drove school bus for Sioux Center Community Schools. She had also worked as a Nurses aide for over 10 years at the hospital. She operated a catering business in Sioux Center for several years and later was a cook at Sioux Center Community Hospital. Warren passed away November 23, 2005 in Sioux Center. She was currently living at the Franken Manor Apartments in Sioux Center.
Lillian was a longtime member of First Reformed Church in Sioux Center and the Lydia's circle. She was also a member of the Hospital auxiliary and a volunteer at the hospital. She and her husband enjoyed wintering in Arizona. She enjoyed playing cards, gardening, and flowers. She loved to cook; a great joy for her was providing food for those in need. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Survivors include her three children: Lorene Rexwinkel and her husband John of Le Mars, Iowa, Sharon Punt and her husband Paul of Chanhassen, MN, and Butch Van Roekel and his wife Jan of Sioux Center, IA; 6 grandchildren: Tom Punt and his wife Holly, Jill Eberle and her husband Dan, Wendy Biddick and her husband Jason, Jane Arnold and her husband Darren, Neil Punt and his wife Karen, and Dan Rexwinkel and his wife Lori; 14 great-grandchildren; 2 brothers: John Broek and his wife Delma of Sioux Center, IA, and Delbert Broek and his wife Annafeen of Sioux Center, IA; 2 sisters-in-law: Priscilla Broek and Thelma Broek both of Sioux Center, IA; a brother-in-law: Joe Van Roekel of Sioux Center; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two brothers: Barney and David Broek; and a sister: Margaret Van Roekel.