Nancy Harmelink
Nancy (Rook) Harmelink, the daughter of Herman and Nancy (Fransen) Rook, was born on December 30, 1926 in Ashton, Iowa. She spent her childhood in the Ashton and Melvin areas, where she went to country school near Ashton, and later attended Melvin High School.
On October 27, 1946 she married Sylvester "Bud" Harmelink at the First Reformed Church in Melvin, Iowa. The couple first began farming in the May City and Melvin areas, and then spent the next 30 years raising their family and farming near Hartley, Iowa. They eventually moved into Melvin, and then retired from farming in 1989.
Nancy always enjoyed spending time with her family - especially playing cards and games. She was great at "BOGGLE", and the video game " Ms. PAC-MAN". (She loved to win!) She was an animal lover - at one time she raised various breeds of dogs. She enjoyed playing the piano and organ, quilting, knitting and crocheting. Her family admits she spoiled them all!
Loved ones who will miss Nancy in their lives include her husband of 50+ years, Bud; their three children: Marilyn and her husband Bill Paplow of Story City, IA, Larry Harmelink and his wife Rebecca of Sioux Falls, SD, and Linda and her husband Gene Thorp of Winterset, IA; five grandchildren: Scott, Rodney and Ryan Paplow, and Wesley and Cristina Harmelink; three great-grandchildren: Katy, Jaycee and Amanda Paplow; two brothers: Wilbur Rook of Rock Valley, IA, and Robert Rook of Sheldon, IA; one sister Rosella Alons of Sheldon, IA; other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a granddaughter Jennifer Harmelink, and a brother Henry Rook.
Interment Baker Township Cemetery Melvin, Iowa
Sylvester "Bud" Harmelink 1925-2012
Burial will be at Baker Township Cemetery near Melvin.
Sylvester (Bud) Harmelink passed from this life on June 10, 2012, at Prairie View Nursing Home in Sanborn, Iowa.
Bud was born on July 25, 1925. He raised his family and farmed in the Melvin area for more than 50 years. He was a WWII veteran, having served in the Philippines Campaign with the US Army. He was married to Nancy Rook for 59 years.
Bud was a member of the First Reformed Church in Melvin.
He enjoyed playing games with his family and friends.
He was an avid bowler, enjoyed golfing, and was a long-time member of the American
Legion.
Preceding him in death were his wife, Nancy, his parents, Gertie and Charlie Harmelink, a granddaughter, Jennifer Harmelink, brothers, Garrett and Jim Harmelink and sister, Nelvina Addengast.
Survivors include: daughter Marilyn and her husband William Paplow, son Larry Harmelink and his wife Rebecca, and daughter, Linda and her husband Gene Thorpe; grandchildren, Scott and wife Karla Paplow, Rodney and wife Angie Paplow, Ryan and wife Lynda Paplow, Wesley and wife Laura Harmelink, and Cristina Harmelink; great-grandchildren, Kati Schumann, Jacy Paplow, Amanda Paplow and Brodyn Harmelink; one sister, Shirley Mulder of Sanborn; two brothers, Duane Harmelink of Spencer, IA, and Milton Harmelink of Sydney, Australia.
Bud (father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend) will be dearly missed by family and friends.
Interment Baker Township Cemetery Melvin, Iowa
Military graveside rites conducted by Melvin American Legion Guthrie Post #470
Source of Obit: Sanborn Funeral Home