Darlene F. Vander Pol, age 68 of Sheldon, Iowa, passed away on Monday, December 2, 2013 at her home in Sheldon.
Her services will be 11:00 A.M. Friday, December 6, 2013 at the United Methodist Church in Sheldon with Rev. Kevin Gingerich ~ officiating. Private Family Graveside services will be Prior to the Service at the Gilman Township Cemetery in Ashton, Iowa.
Visitation will be after 3 P.M. Thursday, December 5, 2013 with family present from 5 – 7 P.M. at the Vander Ploeg Funeral Home in Sheldon, Iowa.
The Family request that In Lieu of Flowers that memorials be directed to the American Cancer Society and or the Sanford Sheldon Home, Health and Hospice
Online memorial condolences may be sent to: vanderploegfunerals.com
Arrangements under the care of Vander Ploeg Funeral Home, Sheldon, Iowa.
Darlene Faye Vander Pol, the daughter of Clarence and Dorothy (Urban) Sterler was born March 22, 1945 in Sibley, Iowa. She grew up on a farm near Ashton, Iowa and attended country school at Gilman Township School until it closed; she then attended Sibley Community School and later graduated from Sheldon Community School in 1963. She continued her education at Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa graduating in 1967 with a degree in Education. She taught for various school districts in northwest Iowa. On April 20, 1968, she was united in marriage to Art Vander Pol at the United Methodist Church in Sheldon. They made their home on the family farm near Ashton where they farmed together. To this union were born Lori and Brian. After taking time off from teaching to raise her children, Darlene went back to the classroom teaching and in 1990 served as a first and second grade teacher for 18 years at East Elementary in the Sheldon School District. In 1991, Art and Darlene moved into Sheldon. Darlene was diagnosed with cancer in 2002; she continued teaching during her treatments and caring for her family. She was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church in Sheldon, she retired from teaching in 2008 and was able to enjoy time with her family and friends, playing cards (which she loved), and traveling with her husband, Art, including a trip to Alaska. She was also a member of the Ashton American Legion Auxiliary and the Sheldon Eagles #2297.
After a courageous battle with cancer, Darlene passed away at home on December 2, 2013. Grateful for sharing their lives with her are her husband, Art; a daughter, Lori and her husband, Jerry Rens of Larchwood, IA; a son, Brian of Minneapolis, MN; four grandchildren, Grace, Henry, Peter and Arie Rens; a sister, Donna and her husband, Bruce Meyer of Waukee, IA; a sister-in-law, Francine Vander Pol of Sheldon; and other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a stillborn daughter, Kristi.
