Erma Jean Van Roekel was taken home to be with the Lord on Monday, March 7, 2011.
He had given her over 80 years to live.
She was born on May 4, 1930 to John & Emma Van Wyk at Hull, IA. She attended Hull Public Schools and Central College at Pella, IA.
As a young person, she made Confession of her faith in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and followed Him with a lifetime commitment. She first met Jim Van Roekel at a District Christian Endeavor Youth Rally at Hull. They were married on August 10, 1950 and walked together with the Lord for over 60 years. After the wedding, they lived in Holland, Michigan where Jim attended Western Theological Seminary. Upon graduation, he was ordained as a minister in the Reformed Church in America. Together they served the Lord in churches in Illinois, Michigan, California, Wisconsin, Florida and IA. They retired to live in Urbandale, IA.
They were blessed with two daughters. Ruth, who married Tim Nelson and they were blessed with Michael, Anna and Sarah. They live at Hampton, IA. Mary, married Mark Den Hartigh and they were blessed with Matthew and Ashley. They live at Golden Valley, MN.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Emma Van Wyk and a brother, Norman. She is survived by her husband, Rev. James H. Van Roekel of Urbandale, her daughters and their families, a sister, Gladys Greying of Alton, IA. and a brother, Rev. Kenneth Van Wyk and his wife, Anita, of Boise, ID.
A Celebration of Thanksgiving will be held at Meredith Drive Reformed Church on Friday March 11, 2011, beginning with a Visitation Time from 9:00 to 10:30. A time of Worship and of Giving Thanks will follow from 11:00 -12:00. At a later date, there will be a graveside Committal Service at Alton, IA. Erma Jean's favorite Bible verse was Philippians 4:6-7. Her favorite hymn was "He Giveth More Grace." One of her favorite sayings was "Prayer has the longest arms."
Rev. James Van Roekel, age 90, of Orange City, passed away October 21, 2020, at
the Orange City Area Health System in Orange City, Iowa.
James Harold was born on November 10, 1929, to John and Sarah (Te Grotenhuis) Van Roekel, in Welcome Township, Sioux County, Iowa. He attended public schools there, Central College in Pella, Iowa, and Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Upon graduation he was ordained as a minister in the Reformed Church in America.
On August 10, 1950, he married Erma Jean Van Wyk, and together they served churches in Illinois, Michigan, California, Wisconsin, Florida, and Iowa. Erma Jean passed away on March 7, 2011, after more than sixty years of marriage.
Survivors include his two daughters and their husbands, Ruth and Tim Nelson, of Independence, Iowa, and Mary and Mark Den Hartigh, of Minneapolis, Minnesota; five grandchildren, Michael Nelson, of Johnston; Anna, and her husband, David Jabbari, of Tiffin; Sarah Nelson, of Madison, Wisconsin; Matthew Den Hartigh, and his wife, Michelle, and Ashley Den Hartigh, all of Minneapolis; two great-grandchildren, Luke and Ella; and two brothers, Clinton Van Roekel, of Sheldon, and Arlin Van Roekel, of Waukee. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Gershom Van Roekel, Warren Van Roekel, and Merle Van Roekel.
James' favorite bible verse was Philippians 1:21. Trust and Obey was his favorite hymn.
Private Family Graveside Service : 30 October 2020 - Nassau Township Cemetery
Officiant: Rev. Dr. Brian Keepers
Interment: Nassau Township Cemetery - near Alton, Iowa
Arrangements: Oolman Funeral Home - Orange City, Iowa
Source: Oolman Funeral Home
