VAN ROEKEL, GORDON AND LOIS (DYKSHORN)
Gordon Albert Van Roekel was born at Sioux Center on December 6, 1925 to Albert and Cena (Doornwaard) Van Roekel. Their story is given separately. Gordon received his education at the Sioux Center Public School, and later spent some time in the service. He was in the 703 M.P. battalion, assigned to duty as white house guard, and other duties in the Washington D.C. area. When he returned home, he married Lois Dykshom daughter of Martin and Jennie (Vande Berg) Dykshorn on December 6, 1946. Lois was born near lreton on August 6, 1927. She received her education in the country school and Sioux Center High School.
They farmed four miles south and four and a quarter miles west of Sioux Center till 1974 when Gordon had some health problems. After moving into Sioux Center, he was a salesman for a short while. Also worked for the U.S.D.A. part time. He took a home course in repairing appliances and now has "Gordon's Fix It Shop". He also repairs furniture, and both he and Lois refinished furniture till Lois had back problems. Now Gordon is building custom made furniture, too.
They are members of the First Reformed Church of Sioux Center. Gordon was a Sunday School teacher many years. Lois is a member of Lydia Circle, and also sang in the choir.
Van Roekel Family. Back Row, L-R: Bill, Lois, Gordon and Robert. Front Row, L-R: Ruth and Mary.
Gordon and Lois have four children, Mary Ellen Van Roekel was born October 13, 1947. She went to school in Sioux Center and nurses training in Sioux City and is an RN. She married Vern Fedders on July 18, 1967. They have two daughters, Amy Marie born August 14, 1969 and Angela Ruth born July 14, 1973. They live in Le Mars, Iowa.
Robert Allan Van Roekel "Bob" was born May 1, 1950. He went to school in Sioux Center and Northwest Iowa Technical College in Sheldon where he took a lineman course. He lives in Primghar, Iowa, where he is an Electrical Superintendent for the town. He married Karel Kessler on June 11, 1971. They have two children, Jennifer Leigh born November 30, 1973 and Christopher Allan born December 21, 1976.
Ruth Leigh Van Roekel was born August 5, 1953. She went to school in Sioux Center, and two years in Ames, Iowa. She married David Kooiker on June 26, 1973. They live at Lake Wilson, Minnesota on a farm. They have four children, Kristi Ann born November 2, 1974, Julie Beth was born November 4, 1976, Andrew Lee was born March 16, 1981 and Gregory David was born September 13, 1984.
William Albert "Bill" Van Roekel was born June 26, 1968. He is a student at Northwestern College at Orange City, majoring in communications. He married Jamie Siegrest on May 27, 1989. They are living in Orange City, Iowa.
by Lois Van Roekel
Gordon Van Roekel, 82, of Sioux Center died Thursday, November 27, 2008 at the Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls.
A memorial service will be held Monday at 11AM at First Reformed Church of Sioux Center with Rev. Roger Voskuil officiating. Interment will be held prior to the memorial service in Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center.
A prayer service will be held Monday at 10AM at First Reformed Church of Sioux Center.
Visitation will be held Sunday from 2-8pm, with the family present from 2-4PM at Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center.
The Van Roekel Family prefers memorials to Words of Hope Ministries.
Gordon Albert Van Roekel was born on December 6, 1925 to Albert G. and Cena (Doornwaard) Van Roekel in Sioux Center, Iowa. He was raised and educated in Sioux Center, graduating from Sioux Center High School.
From 1944-1946 he served in the U.S. Army as a member of the military police White House Guard attaining the rank of Technician Fifth Grade.
Gordon married Lois Betty Dykshorn on December 6, 1946 at the First Reformed Church of Sioux Center.
Gordon was baptized and made profession of faith at Central Reformed Church in Sioux Center. After his marriage he transferred membership to First Reformed Church, where he was a Sunday school teacher for several years.
Gordon farmed near Sioux Center during his first year of marriage. They moved to the farm near Maurice where they farmed for 27 years. He was employed as a construction foreman at the Ireton and Orange City elevators; was foreman for the Co-op Elevator's new air quality control system. Because of health reasons Gordon and Lois moved to Sioux Center in 1974. He then was employed by the USDA as a crop estimator. He also repaired small appliances. He was well known for his woodworking skills. He was recognized as a master woodworking craftsman and was featured in Fine Woodworking magazine. All his sons and sons-in-law were given wooden gun cases built by Gordon. His eleven grandchildren treasured furniture keepsakes he made and his great grandchildren also enjoy many wooden toys.
Beginning in 1988, Gordon and Lois made their winter home in Mission Bell, Texas. During that time he volunteered for the Childrens Haven International orphanage; much of his time was spent remodeling the childrens homes by building doors, tables, chests of drawers, and cabinets.
He was a member of the Sioux County Extension Council for many years and was a 4-H leader while his children were active in 4-H. He was a member of the chess club and American Legion Post in Sioux Center.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 61 years, Lois Van Roekel of Sioux Center; his four children, their spouses and children: Mary Fedders and her husband, Vern of Le Mars and their children: Amy (Fedders) Ruhland and her husband, Jeff of Guthrie Center, IA; Angela Fedders of Wichita, KS. Robert (Bob) and his wife, Karel Van Roekel of Guthrie Center, IA and their children: Jennifer (Van Roekel) Sohn and her husband Ryan of Le Mars, IA; SFC Christopher Van Roekel and his wife, Crystal of Guthrie Center, IA. Ruth Kooiker and her husband, David of Lake Wilson, MN and their children: Kristi (Kooiker) Eshuis and her husband, Jarret of Brandon, SD; Julie (Kooiker) Moss of Woodstock, MN; Andrew Kooiker and his wife, Melissa of Edgerton, MN; Gregory Kooiker and Trisha Hulstein of Edgerton, MN; Jesse Kooiker of Lake Wilson, MN. William (Bill) Van Roekel from Nixa, MO and his children: Molly and Emme Van Roekel of Nixa, MO. Along with 14 great grandchildren who also loved him.
Gordon is also survived by brother, Lloyd Van Roekel and his wife, Elma and brother-in-law, John Sjaarda and his wife, Gert all of Sioux Center.
Gordon was preceded in death by his parents; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Martin and Jennie Dykshorn and sister-in-law, Joyce Sjaarda.
Life Legacy.
Lois was born at the home of her parents Martin and Jennie (Vande Berg) Dykshorn on a farm near Ireton Iowa.
She was raised and educated in country school, graduating from Sioux Center High School.
Lois married Gordon Albert Van Roekel on December 6-1946 at First Reformed Church of Sioux Center Iowa.
She was baptized and made profession of faith at First Reformed Church. Here she was a Sunday School Teacher. She was a life time member of the Lydia Circle. She sang with the church choir and also made many knitted prayer shawls which were donated to the elderly.
Early on Lois worked for Roelof-Vande Berg grocery and dry goods store. After marrying Gordon she became a full time devoted farm wife and mother. As the children grew she became a Cleaver Clover 4-H leader. And later a skilled maker of roses made of frosting to adorn cakes made by her sister, Joyce Sjaarda. He baking skills were enjoyed by family and friends. She pass her passion for baking through the generation, especially her cinnamon rolls.
In 1973 they moved to Sioux Center and she worked a brief time for the local locker wrapping meat that was being processed. By 1988 they began sharing the winter months in Mission Bell Texas and enjoyed that time together for 20 years.
She also busied herself helping her husband Gordon by putting the finish on his many wood working projects. She spent hours knitting scarves and baby blankets, all perfectly done, for her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed canning her garden bounty and making apple pies for the freezer. She loved her flowers, especially her roses and geraniums and made sure there was not a weed to be found.
Survived by: Children: Marry (Vern)Fedders and their children: Amy (Jeff) Ruhland, Angela Fedders (Eric Stofi) Robert (Karel Van Roekel)and their children: Jennifer (Ryan) Soh, Christopher (Crystal) Van Roekel Ruth (David) Kooiker and their children: Kristi Eshuis, Julie (Darren) Lind, Andrew (Melissa) Kooiker, Greg (Trisha) Kooiker, and Jesse Kooiker. William Van Roekel and his children: Molly, AR, Emme Van Roekel. 19 great grandchildren
Lois is preceded by her parents, husband, many in-laws.
Memorial Funeral Home, Feb-2016