Obituaries

Area Funerals

Marie C. Vik

Marie C. Vik, age 89 of Rock Rapids, IA died Friday January 31, 2014 at Sanford Hospital in Rock Rapids, IA.

Funeral service will be 1:00 PM Wednesday, February 5, 2014 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Rock Rapids with Rev. Dan Kordahl, Rev. Neil Vik and Rev. Keith Vik officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in Rock Rapids, IA.

Visitation will be Tuesday, February 4th from 2:00 to 8:00 PM with family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids, IA.

Marie Christine (Christiansen) Vik was born January 2, 1925 at Viborg, South Dakota to Niels and Jensine (Volhoj) Christiansen. She was baptized on May 10, 1925 and confirmed on September 9, 1939 at Bethany Lutheran Church at Viborg, South Dakota. She attended Viborg Public School for twelve years. She met Elmer M. Vik at a dance in Centerville, South Dakota. They were married on June 28, 1945. While Elmer was in the service during World War II, they lived in Charleston, South Carolina and San Francisco.

They were blessed with three children: Karen, Neil, and Keith. The family moved to Rock Rapids, Iowa in 1956 where Elmer was a Salesman with the Kraft Foods Agricultural Division and Better Nutrients, Inc. for thirty-four years. After forty-seven years of marriage, her beloved husband and best friend, Elmer passed away on March 26, 1993. Marie especially enjoyed her twenty years of volunteer work for Hospice. She was a faithful member of Immanuel Lutheran Church. She served as a Sunday School teacher, Choir member, Janitor, Financial Secretary, Quilter, and Staff Support. Marie was an amazing homemaker. Her children had a great childhood and remember home being a safe and wonderful place.

They have fond memories of her waiting on the front porch for them to come home from school. She loved to be in the kitchen and was happiest when cooking or baking for family, friends, or neighbors. She was known for her lefse, meatballs, pies, rolls, cookies, and birthday cakes. She was faithful, loyal, kind, considerate, pleasant, stable, and steady. She was always ready if company dropped by. Many people have enjoyed her gracious hospitality. Marie was loved by many people including her daughter Karen and her husband, Robert Reemts of Rock Rapids, and sons, Neil and his wife Sacia of Kent, WA and Keith and his wife, Angie of Ashland, WI. She is survived by her brother Roger Christiansen of Sioux Falls, SD.

She was a grandmother to Jill and her husband, Mitch Thompson of Sioux Falls, SD; Mindy and her husband, Travis Johnson of Beresford, SD; John Vik and his wife, Heather of Lincoln, NE; Maren and her husband, Theodore Wolff of Coppell, TX; Adam Lehner of Kearney, NE, Kalyn Lehner of Bothell, WA, Christina, Amy, and Lani Vik of Ashland, WI; and Kiah, Erica, Anna, Andrew and his wife, Rachel Vik of Lacrosse, WI. Her great-grandchildren are Taylor and Eric Thompson of Sioux Falls, SD; Macy Johnson of Beresford, SD, Emma Vik of Lincoln, NE; and Cailin Vik of LaCrosse, WI.

Marie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Elmer; and brothers, Leroy and Jim Christiansen.

Douglas “Joe” White

Douglas “Joe” J.E. White, age 39, of Sheldon, Iowa passed away on Tuesday, January 28, 2014 at his parents’ home in Sheldon.

His services will be 1:00pm Saturday, February 1, 2014 at the Vander Ploeg Funeral Home in Sheldon, Iowa with Kenneth Versteeg ~ officiating. Burial will be at a later date. There will not be a time of visitation.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be left to the Village Northwest Unlimited.

The Vander Ploeg Funeral Home in Sheldon is in charge of arrangements.

Online memorial condolences may be sent to: vanderploegfunerals.com.

Douglas “Joe” Josiah Eugene White, the son of Douglas Alfred Jr. and Angela (Harris) White, was born July 29, 1974 in Atlantic, Iowa where he grew-up and attended school, graduating from Atlantic High School. In 1997, he moved to Sheldon, Iowa to be closer to his family and started working for Aalfs Manufacturing.  On August 12, 2000, he started working at the Village Northwest Unlimited as a Residential Skills Trainer. Joe passed away at his parents’ home in Sheldon, on January 28, 2014, reaching the age of 39 years, 5 months and 30 days.

Joe enjoyed listening and playing music, he played the drums, keyboard and guitar, and he also enjoyed photography and disk golf.

Joe is survived by his mother and stepfather, Angela and Jeff McCuddin of Sheldon, Iowa; a brother, Matthew Jon White of Cleghorn, Iowa; a half-brother, Brandon McCuddin of Stillwater, Minnesota; step-brothers, Jeffery McCuddin of Holmen, Wisconsin; Michael McCuddin of Sheldon, Iowa; his paternal grandmother, Barbara Harris of Atlantic, Iowa; his paternal step grandmother, Delores McCuddin of Sioux City, Iowa as well as other relatives and friends and co-workers.

He was preceded in death by his dad, Douglas Alfred White Jr.; and his grandparents.

Herman Van Der Vliet

Mr. Herman Van Der Vliet, age 98, of Hull, passed away on Sunday, January 26, 2014, at the Sioux Center Community Hospital

There will be a memorial service on Friday, January 31, at 11:00am, at the First Reformed Church in Hull. The Rev. Kevin Yurk will officiate. Interment will be prior to the service at the Hope Cemetery in Hull. There will be a family prayer service on Friday, at 10:00am, at the Oolman Funeral Home in Hull.

Visitation will be after 4:00pm on Thursday, with the family present from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, at the funeral home.

Herman was born on January 30, 1915, in rural Hull, the son of Gradus and Johanna Hendrika (Beyer) Van Der Vliet. He was raised at Hull.

On February 3, 1937, he married Gertrude Mulder, on the farm where Herman was born near Hull. They farmed between Boyden and Hull until 1963, when they moved into the house that Herman helped build in Hull. On the farm, Herman had one of the first automated milking systems and one of the first cement block barns. He could fix anything and invented several items for his own use. After moving to town, Herman was the farm manager for Kooiker Land and Investment Co. for several years. He later worked for Mesman Construction and then B&L Plumbing. He also enjoyed helping out on the Glen Vander Zwaag farm, as needed. Gertrude passed away on May 10, 1994, in Sioux City.

In 2002, Herman became a resident of the Colony House Condominiums, and in 2009, he moved to the Pleasant Acres Care Center, both in Hull.

He was a lifelong member of the First Reformed Church where he participated in Sunday School and faithfully attended Men’s Brotherhood for many years. He was known for his sense of humor and remembered many old songs from his youth. He and his wife enjoyed traveling, camping, fishing, and participating in mission projects in other parts of the country.

Survivors include four children, Gerald Van Der Vliet, and his wife, Jeannie, of Hospers; Keith Van Der Vliet, of Marco Island, Florida; Kevin Van Der Vliet, of George; and Sherri, and her husband, Corky Koerselman, of Sibley; a son-in-law, Dan Smith, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; ten grandchildren, Sandee (Patrick) Juhl, Deb (Dave) Dibbet, Donna Van’t Hof, Brian (Melody) Van Der Vliet, Dana (Jim) Daniels, Daniel (Denise) Smith, Jamie (John) Lindgren, Stephanie (Matt) Ingram, Beau (Rebecca) Koerselman, and Kaitlin (Cody) Raak; 22 great-grandchildren; fifteen great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Henrietta Meendering, of Martinsdale; seven sisters-in-law, Darlene Van Der Vliet, of California; Albertha Van Der Vliet, of Colton, South Dakota; Henrietta Wassenaar; Joan Boeve; Evelyn Rens; Catherine De Wit; and LaVonne, and her husband, Hilmore Kroeze; a brother-in-law, Anthony Smit; and several nephews and nieces.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Lolita Smith; two daughters-in-law, Mary Van Der Vliet and Patricia Van Der Vliet; two brothers, Henry John Van Der Vliet and Stanley Van Der Vliet; four sisters and their husbands, Matilda and Isaac Kuipers, Annetta and Gerrit Ter Maat, Julia and Lawrence Bylsma, and Bernice and Henry Vink; and a brother-in-law, Bernard Meendering.

Memorials may be directed to Hope Haven in Rock Valley.

Arlin Wilkens

Arlin Wilkens, age 79 of Sheldon, IA, passed away at Prairie View Nursing Home in Sanborn, IA on Sunday, January 26th, 2014. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, January 30th at 10:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Archer, IA. Rev. Cory Flannigan will officiate.

Visitation will be at the Sanborn Funeral Home Chapel in Sanborn from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 29th, with the family present from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday evening. Burial will be held at East Lawn Cemetery in Sheldon.

The Sanborn Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for 79 year-old Arlin Wilkens of Sheldon.

Arlin Marie Wilkens, the daughter of Thomas and Alice (Saupe) Harms, was born at her parent’s home in Archer, IA on March 13, 1934. She spent her youth in the Archer area and attended the Archer Consolidated School graduating with the class of 1951. Arlin continued her education at Morningside College in Sioux City, IA and obtained her teaching certificate there.

On June 22, 1955, Arlin was united in marriage to Robert W. Wilkens at the Methodist Church in Archer. They were blessed with three sons: Kent, Leon and Joel. Arlin’s teaching career took her to schools at Sutherland, Primghar and Archer. She also found time to give piano lessons while raising her family. She and Bob lived on three different farms in Carroll Township during their married life, eventually settling on the Wilkens Family Farm in 1963. In 2007, they retired from farming and moved to the town of Sheldon, IA. Bob passed away on August 1, 2012 and Arlin continued to live at their home in Sheldon. On July 8, 2013, Arlin moved to Prairie View Nursing Home in Sanborn, IA where she passed away on January 26, 2014 at the age of 79.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Archer, serving many years as organist and pianist. She also enjoyed singing, and shared her talent in the church choir. Ceramics, playing piano, gardening and crochet were also among her spare time enjoyments, but being with her grandchildren was the most treasured.

Those left to cherish her memory are her children: Kent Wilkens of Archer, IA, Leon Wilkens of Des Moines, IA and Joel (Tracey), Keith, Brandon and Caitlin Wilkens of Boyden, IA; brother, Ronald (Pat) Harms of North Carolina; many other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bob; sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy and Mac McIntosh.

Billie (Bill) Van Rennes

candleBillie (Bill) J. Van Rennes, age 79, of Sheldon, Iowa who passed away on Sunday, January 26, 2014 at the Sanford Sheldon Senior Care in Sheldon, Iowa.  

At Bill’s request there will not be formal services.

Online memorial condolences may be sent to: vanderploegfunerals.com

Arrangements under the care of Vander Ploeg Funeral Home, Sheldon, Iowa.

Billie John Van Rennes, son of Richard Sr. and Kate (Drenth) Van Rennes was born March 16, 1934 in Buena Park, California. As a child, he moved to Sheldon with his parents where he received his education. Bill joined the United States Air force in 1952 and served for 4 years during the Korean Conflict. After his discharge from the service in 1956, Bill returned to Sheldon and worked for Merley Excavation. He joined the Sheldon Police Department in 1960 and became Police Chief in 1969 a position he held until his retirement in 1988. Bill passed away on Sunday, January 26, 2014, at the Sanford Sheldon Senior Care in Sheldon reaching the age of 79 years, 10 months and 10 days.

For the past several years Bill enjoyed wintering in Florida. He loved fishing and working around on Patricia Wallinga’s farm.

Bill is survived by his 4 brothers and sisters, Richard Van Rennes Jr. of Riverside, California; Ruth Fivecoat of Lancaster, Wisconsin; Shirley Van Rennes of Riverside California; James and his wife, Grace Van Rennes of Sheldon, Iowa as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends in both Iowa and Florida.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a special friend, Patricia Wallinga and a sister, Betty Forkenbrock.

Leo Moser

Leo Moser, age 88 of Rock Rapids, IA died of natural causes Friday, January 24, 2014 at his home in Rock Rapids, IA.

Funeral service will be 10:00 AM, Tuesday, Jan. 28th, 2014 at the Apostolic Christian Church in Lester, Iowa.

Burial will follow at the church cemetery.

Visitation will be Monday, Jan 27th with the family present from 2:00 to 4:00 PM and again from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Apostolic Christian Fellowship Hall in Lester.

Leo C. Moser was born February 10, 1925, in rural Larchwood, IA, to John and Rose (Kellenberger) Moser. He was raised on the family farm near Hills, MN, and attended country school through the 8th grade. On June 8, 1947, Leo was united in marriage to Leona Mogler. They farmed for a short time with Leo’s father and then the couple moved to Sioux Falls, SD, where they co-owned and operated a small grocery store. In 1951, Leo and Leona moved to a farm south of Lester, IA, where they farmed and reared their two children. They moved to Rock Rapids, IA, in 1983. Leo continued working on the farm and for a number of years, Leo and Leona worked part-time for Tony’s Catering. In recent years, Leo volunteered many hours at the ACWR woodworks shop in Rock Rapids. He shared his love for music by playing his harmonica and accordion at local rest homes.

Leo’s faith was very important to him. He became a member of the Apostolic Christian Church in 1949. For 46 years, he served in the ministry and as a church Elder. He traveled extensively on behalf of the church.

Leo passed away unexpectedly from natural causes at his home in Rock Rapids on Friday, January 24, 2014.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years and his children, Wes (Esther) Moser of Lester, IA, and Myra (Arnie) Wulf of Sioux Falls, SD; eight grandchildren, Alex Moser, Trixie (Ethan) Metzger, Jessica Moser, Tessa Moser, Kara Moser, Caleb Moser, and Monica (Tomás) Romano, Tanya (Taylor) Gramm; five great-grandchildren; five sisters, Mariann (Elmer) Metzger, Estelle Leuthold, Evelyn (Roy) Metzger, Donna (John) Gerber, Janet Wysong, and one brother, Frank Moser. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Landon Wulf; four brothers, John, Johnny, Harry, and Donald; and two sisters, Ione DeHaan and Betty Leuthold.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers or memorial items, donations be directed to Apostolic Christian Church – ACWR woodworks.