Gladys Delena Ver Meer, a daughter of Anthony D. and Dena Kloostermann Ver Meer, was born on November 21, 1931 in Pella. She attended the Pella Christian Grade School and was baptized and made profession of her faith at the Second Christian Reformed Church in Pella.
As a young girl, Gladys was employed at several places while living in Pella. She worked at Fowler Telephone Company, Van's Grocery Store and the J. C. Penney Store as well as others previously. On December 14, 1956 she was united in marriage with Peter Cornelius Van Soelen at Pella and to this union four children were born: Michael Peter, Kenneth Dean, Carol Diane, and James Allen. Pete and Gladie spent the first year of their marriage in Pella and then moved to the Sully/Killduff area. They spent 42 years together farming and trucking in this area.
During this time, Gladie worked at the Sully Cafe in Sully and assisted with the care of Mrs. Tim Zegers at Killduff. She was always willing to do something for someone else. Then in 1989 at the age of 57 years, she succumbed to surgery following diagnosis of an inoperable brain tumor. The resulting affects left her impaired and since May of 1993 she was been cared for at the Nelson Manor Nursing Home in Newton. She passed away there on Saturday evening, April 24, 1999 at the age of 67 years, 5 months , 3 days.
Her family endured her long, lingering illness with a great deal of devotion and dedication. They are: her faithful husband, Peter C. Van Soelen of Killduff; her four children and their spouses and ten grandchildren: Michael P. and Marlene Van Soelen of Sully, Brent Michael, Bryan James and Andrew Jay; Kenneth D. and Lorie Van Soelen of Sully, Kyle Dean, Hilary Jo, and Brooke Nicole; Carol D. and Tim Merical of Grinnell. Nicholas Carl and Nathan Alan; James A. and Ruth Van Soelen of Sully, Maria Diane and Amber Delena.
Of her original family, Gladys leaves all her sisters and brothers: Albertha Newendorp of Pella; Marvin L. Ver Meer and wife, Brenda Sue of Sunrise Beach, MO; Gerald "Skeeter" Ver Meer and his wife, Betty of Pella; Delores Graff of Pella; her step-mother, Nellie S. (Booy Spencer) Ver Meer of Pella; a step-brother, Robert Spencer and his wife, Karen of Pella; a step-sister, Linda Van Kooten and her husband, Alvin of Iowa Falls.
Gladys was preceded in death by her parents; her mother, Dena who died at the age of 51 years in 1960 and her father, Tone who died in 1990; and a brother who died in infancy.
Gladys became a member of the Sully Christian Reformed Church in Sully soon after her marriage where she belonged to the Ruth Circle and was a member of the Ladies Ensemble. She had also been an active member of the Sully Christian School Circle at Sully and the Kellogg Garden Club at Kellogg. Gladie's grandchildren were her pride and joy; and her family remembers her for her cooking and baking skills and the enjoyment she found in raising flowers.
The Diamond Trail News, April 28, 1999