Obituary of Van Meeteren

Floretta (Whitlock) Van Meeteren, the daughter of Arthur and Beulah (Bennett) Whitlock, was born in Dyer, Arkansas on December 8th, 1926. The sixth of eleven children in the family, Floretta lived in Dyer until her early adult years. On January 6th, 1945, Floretta married her husband of 52 years, Morris W. Van Meeteren in Van Buren, Arkansas. In June of 1946, they welcomed a daughter Donna, and in June of 1950 their son Glenn arrived. Originally, Floretta and Morris began farming in Paullina, Iowa, but after a short time, the couple moved to a farm near Archer where they raised their family for thirteen years. In 1960, they moved to a farm near Sanborn, Iowa, where Floretta and Morris continued to farm for the next twenty-two years. In Spring of 1982, Floretta and Morris “retired”, and moved to the town of Sanborn, but continued to help their son Glenn on the family farm until Morris’ death in 1997. After Morris’ death, Floretta continued to be involved in the Sanborn community. She also loved to travel, and made several visits to her sisters and grandchildren. Sadly after a brief illness, Floretta passed away at Prairie View Nursing Home on Thursday, January 14th, 2010 at the age of 83. She was a member of the First Reformed Church of Sanborn. Floretta enjoyed baking cookies, entertaining family and friends, shopping trips, having coffee with good friends, embroidery, crocheting, and spending time with her family. Floretta spent many hours volunteering at her church and Prairie View. Survivors include her children: Donna Brandt of Tucson, AZ, Glenn (Chris) Van Meeteren of Sanborn, IA; five grandchildren: Shaun (Cary) McKeever and their children, Meagan, Drew and Morgan of Tucson, AZ, Sherry (Joe) Schneider and their daughter Sawyer of Tucson, AZ, Shelly (Jason) Kleis and their children, Sam and Addie, of Dakota Dunes, SD, Sandy (David) Herfkens and their children, Zach and Toby, of Tucson, AZ and Sally (Brad) Sieve and their daughter Ava, of Luverne, MN; one brother, Wayne (Jackie) Whitlock, of Detroit, MI; three sisters: Erma Ferguson, Jean (Frank) Holthaus both of Detroit, MI and Ellarene (James) Crowley of Van Buren, AR; other relatives and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Morris; grandchild Brian; four brothers: Matthew, Julian, Herschel, and J.C. Whitlock; two sisters: Wanda Smith and Allene Van Meeteren. In Loving Memory Of Floretta Van Meeteren Born ~ December 8, 1926 Died ~ January 14, 2010 Age ~ 83 years Funeral Service 10:30 a.m. Monday, January 18, 2010 First Reformed Church Sanborn, Iowa Officiating ~ Rev. Gary Hegstad Organist ~ Beth Vanden Hoek Congregational Singing Processional ~ “Amazing Grace” “The Old Rugged Cross” “Under His Wings” Recessional ~ “O That Will Be Glory” Pallbearers Ron Van Meeteren Gary Van Meeteren Lonnie Van Meeteren Edgar Van Meeteren Brad Sieve Jason Kleis Ushers Archie Van Ravenswaay and Merne Haack Flower Attendants Dorothy Van Kley and Margaret Foley Interment Roseland Cemetery Sanborn, Iowa 9:30 a.m. on Monday