Gerrit Van Engen, age 77, of Sioux Center died Tuesday, March 11, 1997 at the Sioux Center Community Hospital.
Memorial services were held on Friday, March 14 at 11:00 a.m. at Central Reformed Church in Sioux Center. The Rev. Brian Steenhoek officiated. Burial was in Memory Gardens Cemetery under the direction of the Vander Ploeg Funeral Home, Sioux Center.
Gerrit was born Sept. 11, 1919 in Alton, the son of John E. and Tena (Van Roekel) Van Engen.
He married Ruth Oostra on Feb. 11, 1948 in Sioux Center.
He served in the U.S. Army's Military Police during World War II. He had been employed at De Jong Hatchery in Sioux Center and from 1947 - 77 he was employed at Ver Hoef Chevrolet in Sioux Center.
Mr. Van Engen was a member of Central Reformed Church where he served as an elder and a deacon, the American Legion for 50 years and was a Cub Scout leader.
Survivors include his wife; two sons and their wives, John and Kae of Sioux Center and Dr. Alvin and Sue of Dell Rapids, S.D.; two daughters and their husbands, Linda and Marlyn Zeutenhorst of Sioux Center and Laura and Phil Van Roekel of Sioux City; seven grandchildren, Gary Zeutenhorst, Becky Dykshorn, Katie, Merribeth and Nicholas Van Engen, Ben and Jacob Van Roekel; a brother, Albert of Sanborn; and six sisters, Gert Baker of Worthington, Minn., Clazina Vander Veen and Nancy Cuperus both of Sheldon, Johanna Vos of Sibley, Mina Van Kley of Sanborn and Tina Buysman of Sioux Falls, S.D.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sons in infancy; five brothers and a sister.
Sioux County Capital Democrat 1997-03-20.
SIOUX CENTER, Iowa | Ruth Van Engen, 89, of Sioux Center died Sunday, Aug. 24, 2014, at Royale Meadows Care Center in Sioux Center.
Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Friday at Faith Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Center. Burial will be prior to the service Friday in Memory Gardens Cemetery.
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RUTH VAN ENGEN
April 5, 1925 - August 24, 2014
Ruth Van Engen passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 24, 2014 at Royale Meadows Care Center, Sioux Center, Iowa at the age of eighty nine years, four months, and nineteen days.
Ruth was born on April 5, 1925 in Doon, Iowa to John and Kate (Van Surksum) Oostra. Ruth’s early employment included helping area families with housekeeping, childcare and assisting on the family farm. On February 11, 1948, she was united in marriage to Gerrit Van Engen of Sioux Center, Iowa.
In later years she touched the lives of many through her in-home daycare for numerous families, serving over 40 children in the Sioux Center area. Her gentle and caring spirit allowed her to be a mentor to many young children, affectionately being known as "Auntie Ruth" or "Grandma Ruth."
Ruth was a member of Central Reformed Church and served on the afternoon circle. She was a part of the Dinner Date while residing at the New Homestead. Ruth’s spare time was spent doing gardening, embroidery, puzzles, and other crafts, and keeping up with the sport teams of her grandchildren and college basketball.
Ruth and Gerrit’s marriage was blessed with six children, eight grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren: Linda and Marlyn Zeutenhorst their two children and families, Gary and Kim Zeutenhorst (Ellie, Janae, Kendra, Jarrett), Becky and Tim Dykshorn (Hannah, Charlie, Luke) all of Sioux Center; John (deceased); John and Kae Van Engen of Sioux Center, their two children and families: Katie and Dr. Brian Vander Ley (Gerrit, Gavin, Johanna) of Columbia, MO, Merribeth and Lucas De Groot (Olivia, Nora, Violet) of Oskaloosa, IA; Arlin (deceased); Dr. Alvin and Sue Kelly-Van Engen of Sioux Center, their two sons: Nicholas of Ames, IA, Matthew of Sioux Center; Laura and Phil Van Roekel of Ankeny, IA, their two sons: Ben of Austin, TX, and Jacob of Roanoke, VA.
Ruth is also survived by five siblings: Mary Grooters of Hull, Jake Oostra of Rock Valley, Bill Oostra of Winneconne, WI, Andrew Oostra of Rock Valley, and Robert Oostra of Hull and several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, two infant sons and eight siblings.
Ruth was known by her family as a prayer warrior, who was constant in her faith and encouraging in her words. The best memories were around the Sunday dinner table where mom served, roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans and Boston Crème Pie. We cherish our memories of her influence in our lives.
Graveside services were held at the local cemetery at ten o'clock Saturday morning for John, son born to Mr. & Mrs. Gerrit Van Engen at the Sacred Heart Hospital at LeMars on Friday evening. Rev. P. A. De Jong officiated at the services.
Beside the parents, the baby is survived by a two year old sister Linda, and the grandparents, Mrs. Tena Van Engen of Sibley, and Mr. & Mrs. John Oostra of Rock Valley. Coming from out of town to attend the services were the grandparents and Mr. & Mrs. Norman Byusman and Mr. & Mrs. George Van Engen of Sibley, Mr. & Mrs. Ray Grooters of Sanborn; Mr. & Mrs. Marinus Oostra of Rock Valley and Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Oostra of Hull.
Source: Sioux Center News - November 2, 1950
Graveside rites were held Wednesday afternoon at 3:30 for Arlin Ray, day old son of Mr. & Mrs. Gerrit Van Engen, who died Wednesday morning.
Rev. Marion Klaaren officiated and burial was made in the Sioux Center Community Cemetery under the direction of Vander Ploeg's Funeral Service.
Survivors include the parents, one brother, John, and one sister, Linda. Also surviving are the grandparents, Mr. & Mrs. John Oostra, Sr. of Rock Valley and Mrs. Van Engen of Sibley.
Source: Sioux Center News - November 20, 1958