Obituary of Van Gelderen

Memorial Tribute Johanna (Bolkema) Van Gelderen, the daughter of John D. and Winnie (De Boer) Bolkema, was born on a farm near Archer, Iowa on August 14, 1923. The family lived in the Ruthton, MN and Rock Valley, IA areas, where Johanna attended the local country schools. She married Arvid Van Gelderen in Rock Valley on August 17, 1949. The couple farmed in the Sanborn and Melvin, Iowa area. They continued living on a farm near Melvin until Arvid passed away on March 12, 1997. Later that same year, Johanna moved into Sanborn where she resided until 2007. Following a debilitating stroke, she moved to Prairie View Nursing Home in Sanborn. She passed away there on Thursday, October 1, 2009, at age 86. During the time that she and Arvid were on the farm, Johanna was an important part of managing the farming operation. She helped with everything from field work to feeding and caring for the livestock. She enjoyed doing needlework, including quilting and sewing, and made all of her own clothes. She was a member of the Cornerstone United Reformed Church and the Garden Club. Left to cherish her memory are her siblings: Kenneth Bolkema of Leota, MN; Marvin (Nina) Bolkema of Sheldon, IA; John L. (Betty) Bolkema of Hull, IA; LeRoy (Elaine) Bolkema of Rock Valley, IA; Norman (Bess) Bolkema of Albuquerque, NM; and Lucille Veltkamp of Rock Valley, IA; numerous nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Arvid; a brother Leonard who died in infancy; a sister Bernice; a sister-in-law, Lucy Bolkema and a brother-in-law, Henry Veltkamp. Celebration of Life Johanna Van Gelderen Born ~ August 14, 1923 Died ~ October 1, 2009 Age ~ 86 years 1 month 17 days Funeral Service 10:30 a.m. Monday, October 5, 2009 Cornerstone United Reformed Church Sanborn, Iowa Officiating ~ Pastor Dan Donovan Organist ~ Donna Hofman Soloist ~ Merle Wynia “Come to the Savior” #410 “Blessed Be the Tie That Binds” #447 “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” #436 Pallbearers Harlan Bolkema Jay Bolkema Alan Bolkema Merlyn Kroese Gene Veltkamp Merle Wynia Ushers John Anema Jr. Postma Interment Roseland Cemetery Sanborn, IA