GERRIT VAN WYHE
Rock Rapids: Funeral services for Gerrit Van Wyhe, 58, who died Wednesday after a long illness, were held at 1:00 p.m. Monday at the Jongewaard-Lockwood funeral home here and at 1:30 p.m. at the First Reformed church. Rev. P. J. Feenstra officiated and burial was in the Rock Rapids cemetery.
Mr. Van Wyhe was born December 27, 1898, near Hull. He married Alice De Weerd February 9, 1926, and the couple resided in Sioux county for 15 years before moving to a farm near here.
Surviving are the widow: four sons, Gerrit, Jr., of Rock Rapids; Elmer of Artesia, California, and William and Marvin, both at home; five daughters, Mrs. Vernon Brower of Edgerton, Minnesota; Mrs. Don Selles of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Albertha, Joyce and Muriel, all at home and nine brothers, John, Edward and William, all of Hull; Jake of Lansing, Michigan; Henry of Flat Rock, Michigan; Lambert of Kansas City, Missouri; Art of Sioux Center; Ben of Clinton, Wisconsin, and Dick of Whitewater, Wisconsin; five sisters, Mrs. Dick Kruizenga of Clinton, Wisconsin; Mrs. ake Sneller, Mrs. Gerrit Van Otterloo and Mrs. Nicholas Van Marel, all of Sheldon, Iowa, and Mrs. Bert Fyanken of Boyden, Iowa, and five grandchildren.
Sioux County Index 1957-12-19.
Funeral services for Albertha Van Wyhe, 88, of Rock Rapids were held Wednesday in Christian Reformed Church, Rock Rapids, with interment in Riverview Cemetery. She died Sunday March 22, 1992, in Lyon Manor Care Center where she was a resident since December of 1987.
Albertha De Weerd was born January 5, 1904, near Carmel. On February 9, 1926, she married Gerrit Van Wyhe in Carmel. They farmed in Sioux and Lyon counties and then moved to a farm near Rock Rapids in 1943. Her husband died in 1957.
Survivors include four sons, Gerrit of Rock Rapids, Elmer of Greeley, Colorado, Will of Gering, Nebraska, and Marvin of Spirit Lake; five daughters, Mrs. Vernon (Wilma) Brower of Luverne, Minn. Mrs. Darrell (Albertha) Gildemeister of Dell Rapids, S.D., Mrs. Don (Jan) Selles of Battle Creek, Michigan, Mrs. Sherwin (Joyce) Dornbush of Holland, Michigan, and Mrs. Bill (Muriel) Plooster of Sioux Falls, S.D; 32 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Ray of Worthington, MN. William of Inwood, Howard of Edgerton, MN, and one sister, Winnie Van't Hul of Hull.
Northwest Iowa Review 1992-03-??
Gerrit "Slim" Jacob Van Wyhe, Jr. 77, Rock Rapids, died Sunday, November 28, at Lyon Manor Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Rock Rapids. Services were Thursday, December 2, at the Christian Reformed Church in Rock Rapids, with the Rev. Cliff Hoekstra officiating. Burial was at Riverview Cemetery in Rock Rapids, under the direction of Roste Funeral Home in Rock Rapids.
Gerrit "Slim" Van Wyhe, son of Gerrit and Albertha (De Weerd) Van Wyhe, was born June 4, 1927, on a farm near Alvord. He spent his early years in Sioux County. His family moved to a farm west of Rock Rapids when he was 15. He was drafted when he was 23 and served his country in the U.S. Army.
He married Margaret Alvine of Sioux Falls, S.D. on January 17, 1957. He took pride in farming and raising his family for the next 36 years. He expressed his love as a pillar of strength in his family, church and community. He was a life-long member of the Christian Reformed Church, where he led as elder, deacon, and Sunday School superintendent. He was a member of the Lester Veterans of Foreign Wars and served on the Central Lyon School District Board of Education for many years.
Survivors include his wife, Margaret Van Wyhe of Rock Rapids; five children, Jolene Van Wyhe-Haidle of Prior Lake, MN, Paul Van Wyhe of Rock Rapids, Pam Swaney of Jacksonville, FL, Karen Olesen of Lakeville, MN, and Melanie Van Wyhe of Minnetonka, MN; 12 grandchildren; five sisters, Wilma Brower of Luverne, MN., Jan Selles of Battle Creek, MI, Albertha "Buff" Gildemeister of Dell Rapids, S.D., Joyce Dornbush of Holland MI, and Muriel Plooster of Harrisburg, S.D. and two brothers, Willis Van Wyhe of Fort Collins, CO, and Marvin Van Wyhe of Spirit Lake.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, infant Willis Henry Van Wyhe and Elmer Van Wyhe.
Northwest Iowa Review 2004-12-14.
Margaret Elizabeth Janet (Alvine) Van Wyhe (84), of Rock Rapids, IA was born on August
22, 1937 in Sioux Falls, SD.
On April 9th Jesus came to take her home.
She lived with her family on N. Prairie and attended the Augustana Lutheran church
next door.
As a teenager, Margaret worked at the Nickel plate and as a telephone operator and
graduated from Washington High School in 1955.
Soon after, she shared her first dance with Gerrit J. Van Wyhe at the Arkota ballroom. On January 17, 1957 they married and began their journey together. Over the next 36 years, Margaret and Gerrit raised their five children on the family farm near Rock Rapids and attended the Christian Reformed Church. She generously loved to cook delicious meals and bake for family, friends and hard-working farmers - known far and wide for her barbequed ribs, homemade pies and cinnamon rolls!!
In 1993, Margaret and Gerrit retired and moved to Greene St. in Rock Rapids. Over the years, Margaret most enjoyed Bible studies, special moments with grandchildren, and singing solos as well as harmonizing with the Sweet Adeline's or the church choir. Margaret was the epitome of a free spirit, lover of MUSIC; hymns, waltzes and polkas, Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, DANCING, Lawrence Welk, the colors pink and purple, CHOCOLATE, laughing and teasing, hot fudge sundaes, coca cola, cats, ICE CREAM, Ronald Reagan, Billy Graham, Ma & Pa Kettle, her family, friends and her FAITH. Margaret lived and shared her faith openly. She loved the Lord! Her sweet and compassionate spirit touched everyone she encountered. She will notably be remembered quoting, "May the Lord Bless you!"
Margaret was predeceased by Gertrude H. Alvine (mother), Paul G. Alvine (father), Delores J. (Alvine) Botkin (sister)
Joyce Dornbush of Holland, 76, was welcomed into her heavenly home on Monday, September 19, 2016.
Joyce was the daughter of Gerrit and Albertha Van Wyhe. She was born in Carmel, Iowa, moved shortly after to Rock Rapids, Iowa and graduated from Hull Western Christian.
She is survived by her loving husband of 51 years, Sherwin Dornbush; two sons and one daughter, Mark (Yingfang) Dornbush, Steven Dornbush, and Holly (Matthew) Bosch; two brothers and two sisters, Will (Sharon) Van Wyhe, Marvin (Lyn) Van Wyhe, Albertha (Darrell) Gildemeister and Muriel (Bill) Plooster; and four grandchildren, Jayce Brinks, Emily Dornbush, Mallory Dornbush, and Nathan Dornbush.
She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings Elmer Van Wyhe, Gerrit Van Wyhe, Jr., Wilma Brower and Janet Selles.
Joyce's family will greet relatives and friends from 5-8 pm on Thursday at the Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home, 315 E. 16th St. The funeral service to honor her faith and life will be held in her church Holland Heights Christian Reformed at 11 a.m. Friday, September 23, 2016. Pastor Mark Kamper will officiate. Interment will be in Restlawn Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be given to Back to God Ministries International or Kids' Life Bible Clubs Ottawa County Chapter.
Published online courtesy Langeland Sterenberg FH 19 Sep 2016
Fiercely independent to the end, Albertha "Buff" Gildemeister 86, of Dell Rapids passed
away Saturday May 15 at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls after a heroic
five-year battle with cancer.
There will be a memorial service for both Buff and her husband Darrell at 11:30 am on
Saturday May 22, 2021 at the Reformed Church in Dell Rapids.
A family interment will begin at 10:00 am in the Logan Reformed Cemetery prior to the
start of the service at the church.
Buff was born on September 4, 1934 near Carmel, IA to Gerrit and Albertha "Alice" Van Wyhe. As fourth of nine brothers and sisters, Buff dutifully worked on the family farm outside of Rock Rapids, IA. She attended Nettleton College in Sioux Falls to learn book-keeping and accounting, skills she would use professionally for the Sheraton Hotel, where she was commended for her skill and work ethic, and personally throughout her life.
She met a spirited young man named Darrell Gildemeister when introduced through mutual friends on a blind date. They were married November 25, 1960 and had three children. Buff and Darrell were devoted to one another and were married for 60 years until Darrell's death in November 2020.
A dedicated wife and mother, Buff left the workforce to direct her full attention to raising the family. In 1974, Buff and Darrell purchased a small farm north of Dell Rapids which would be their beloved home for the next 43 years. Buff used her considerable mechanical, electrical, and book-keeping skills to care for and improve the farm for the family she loved. Buff was an expert in many areas, from refacing cabinets to creating delicacies such as wild game, jam and apple cake from her fruit trees, vegetables from the garden, or butter and yogurt from the milk of their dairy goats. Buff was an avid fan of the Twins and Vikings and enjoyed all sports especially when played by her grandkids. She remained sharp to the end, managing her personal affairs in detail.
Buff was a member of the Reformed Church in Dell Rapids for over 50 years and was active in the women's ministries there. Her faith was extremely important to her and she loved to listen to Gospel music, read her Bible, and faithfully prayed for her family and friends. She brought to her family a habit of reading the Bible aloud at the table following family dinner every evening.
Buff will always be known for her kindness, her brilliant blue Van Wyhe eyes, amazing determination, indomitable positive outlook, her tremendous love for her family and friends, and her grandchildren in particular.
Buff was preceded in death by her parents Gerrit and Albertha Van Wyhe, brothers Gerritt and Elmer, sisters Wilma (Brower), Jan (Selles), Joyce (Dornbush), and her cherished husband Darrell Gildemeister.
She leaves behind her daughter Kim (Jeff) Larsen of Hudson, WI and grandchildren Zoë and Ava, son Bryan of Baltic, SD and grandchildren Hans, Fritz, Greta, and Richard, son David (Teresa) of Phoenix, AZ and Grandchildren Kirstie and Drew. She is also survived by brothers Willis and Marvin Van Wyhe and sister Muriel Plooster, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Sincere thanks to so many that helped and cared for Mom over the past several years particularly the staff and friends at the Inn at Westport. Thank you for the many prayers and condolences. We know that Mom was well-loved and is celebrating a life well-lived in heaven even as we miss her here on earth.
Darrell R. Gildemeister, 81, of Dell Rapids, passed away on Saturday, November 28, 2020
at Good Samaritan Society Village in Sioux Falls.
There will be a Memorial Service for both Buff and Darrell at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday,
May 22, 2021 in the Reformed Church of Dell Rapids.
A family inurnment will begin at 10:00 a.m. in the Logan Reformed Cemetery prior to the
start of the service at the church.
Darrell was born on March 1, 1939 to Richard and Viola Gildemeister. He graduated from Pipestone High School in 1956 and served in the US Army in Germany where he got to meet his high school hero, Elvis Presley.
He married Albertha Van Wyhe, known as Buff, on November 25, 1960 and lived in Sioux Falls where Darrell began a long career at John Morrell. They moved to an acreage near Dell Rapids in 1967 and later moved with their 3 children to their much loved hobby farm north of Dell Rapids. After retiring from John Morrell and a year managing another small meat packing plant, Darrell had another career as a manager in the South Dakota Highway Patrol at the entry port and finally retired again in 2001.
He enjoyed his farm for 43 years before moving with Buff to the Inn on Westport in Sioux Falls. On that hobby farm, Darrell built duck ponds and pheasant habitats where he spent hours every day after work tending and watching his collection of water and prairie fowl. He trapped and fished his creek and hunted a few deer that crossed through. When he wasn't tending his own birds, or hunting them throughout the state, he could be found reading about them, watching movies of them, carving them, painting them and telling stories about them. This passion for hunting and waterfowl and wild animals began as a little boy of 6 and never waned from pigeons to peacocks, a variety of ducks and geese, exotic pheasants, guineas, pet raccoons, rabbits, ferrets, a de- scented skunk from the zoo, and more. For a change of scenery he'd find other men gathered to talk about hunting or swap birds or hunt the four legged creatures. He was also an excellent trainer of hunting dogs and collected quite a few, but Smokey the Weimaraner and Baron the Black Lab were the best he ever had.
The farm delighted his senses, filled with his birds, and a menagerie of any other animal he could bring home. Every spot that could fit a tree or a shrub got one he selected and tended. His vegetable garden fed friends and strangers and was always a chance to share the bounty if you would just listen to one of his stories. He always took delight and joy in a sunrise. He saw everything and tried to help you see it too if you were nearby. Though he faithfully attended church and knew the hymns and the words of scripture, truly the outdoors was his cathedral, the place where he most clearly saw God.
Darrell was preceded in death by his sister Myrna (Duane Shortie) Larson, his brother in law, Cornelius (Spark) deRuyter and parents.
He left behind his wife Buff, their children, Kim (Jeff) Larsen of Hudson, WI and grandchildren Zoë and Ava, son Bryan of Baltic, and grandchildren, Hans, Fritz, Greta and Richard, son David (Teresa) of Chandler, AZ and grandchildren Kirstie and Drew. Also surviving are Darrell's sister Shirley (Cornelius "Spark") De Ruyter of Rock Valley, IA and brother Dennis (Mary) of Lake Park, IA and many nieces and nephews and in-law's.
Thanks to so many who have cared for Dad these last years of his decline, especially the staff at Good Samaritan Village in Sioux Falls. Thanks to so many friends for your prayers and condolences. Memorials will be sent to Ducks Unlimited and Reformed Church of Dell Rapids Youth Ministry. We are confident that Darrell rests in peace and will rise in glory.