Obituaries

Area Funerals

Mr. Herman Boote

Mr. Herman Boote, age 95, of Hull, passed away on Tuesday, February 12, 2013, at the Sioux Center Community Hospital.

There will be a memorial service on Friday, February 15, at 2:00pm, at the First Reformed Church in Hull. The Rev. Harlan De Jong will officiate. Interment will be prior to the service at the Hope Cemetery in Hull. There will be a prayer service on Friday, at 1:00pm, at the Oolman Funeral Home in Hull.

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

 

Gwen Meester

Gwen Meester, age 43 of Ellsworth, MN died as the result of an extended illness Tuesday, February 12, 2013 at her home in Ellsworth, MN surrounded by her family.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, February 15, 2013 at Bethel Reformed Church at Little Rock, IA with Rev. Matt Miller, officiating.  Burial will follow in the Bethel Reformed Cemetery at Little Rock.

Visitation will be Thursday, February 14th from 2:00 – 8:00 p.m. with the family present from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids.

Gwendolen Denise Meester was born March 1, 1969 in Ft. Meade, Maryland to Wendell and Mildred (Gertsma) DeBeer. She was raised and educated in George, IA and graduated from George High School in 1987. On October 22, 1988 she was united in marriage to Larry Meester at Bethel Reformed Church. The couple first made their home in Rock Rapids and in 1989 they moved to George. In 1991 they moved to Ellsworth, MN. Gwen and Larry welcomed their daughter Samantha in 1993 and their son Riley in 1997. Gwen worked for K-Products, Chase Bag Company and upon moving to Ellsworth, she worked for Parkview Manor. After working at Parkview for 10 years she went back to school and earned her LPN degree. Gwen went to work for Rock Rapids Health Centre in October of 2002 as a Nurse/Social Services Director. She loved her work very much. It was a great fit for her because of the natural gift she had for hospitality, compassion and being a wonderful caregiver. She remained at the Health Centre until declining health forced her to stop working in December of 2012. She was a member of the Bethel Reformed Church of Little Rock, IA. She enjoyed gardening, camping, games of many kinds, and especially card games. Gwen loved company and always looked forward to hosting friends and family in her home. This past Tuesday, February 12, 2013 she passed away at her home, surrounded by family. She will be greatly missed.

Gwen is survived by her husband of twenty-four years, Larry Meester of Ellsworth, MN; daughter, Samantha Meester and fiancé Gaje Sammons of Sioux Falls, SD; son, Riley Meester, of Ellsworth, MN; and honorary daughter, Anne Reschke of Berlin, Germany; parents, Wendell and Millie DeBeer of George, IA; sisters, Michelle (Scott) Timmer of Rock Rapids, IA; and Becky (Mark) Stueven of George, IA; parents-in-law Gary and Judy Meester of Sioux Falls, SD; sister-in-law Dawn (Michael) Van Den Top of Rock Rapids, IA; brother-in-law Dominic (James) Meester of Sioux Falls, SD; nieces Kate Timmer of Rock Rapids, IA; Ashley Stueven of George, IA; nephews, Jessy Stueven and Gregory Stueven, both of George, IA; Christopher Van Den Top of Edina, MN; and Jonathon Van Den Top of Sioux Falls, SD; and other extended family members.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Otto and Ida DeBeer and Harry and Grace Gertsma; and Uncle Dennis DeBeer.

 

Joanne Lopez

Joanne Lopez, age 75 of Marshalltown, IA and formerly of Hartley, IA, passed away at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown, IA, on Monday, January  21, 2013.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 16th at 11:30 a.m. at the Trinity United Church of Christ in Hartley, with Rev. Jeff Filkins officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the memorial service at the church.  Inurnment will be held at Pleasant View Cemetery in Hartley.

The Hartley Funeral Home in Hartley is in charge of the arrangements for 75 year-old Joanne Lopez of Marshalltown, IA and formerly of Hartley, IA.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.sanborn-hartleyfuneralhomes.com

Lila Brower

Lila Brower, age 83 of Rock Rapids, IA died Friday, February 8, 2013 at Lyon Manor Nursing and Rehab in Rock Rapids, IA.

Funeral service will be 1:30 p.m.Monday, February 11, 2013 at Congregational United Church of Christ in Rock Rapids, IA with Rev. Steve Hanson, officiating.  Burial will take place prior to the service at 12:30 p.m. at RiverviewCemetery in Rock Rapids.

Visitation will be Sunday, February 10th from 2:00 – 8:00 p.m. with the family present from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids.

Janet E. Dixon

Janet E. Dixon, age 92 of Sheldon, Iowa passed away on Thursday, February 7, 2013 at Sanford Sheldon Senior Care in Sheldon, Iowa.

Her service will be 11:00 A.M. Monday, February 11, 2013 at the United Methodist Church in Sheldon, Iowa with Rev. Marvin Lindley ~ officiating. Burial will be in the East Lawn Cemetery in Sheldon.

Visitation with the family present will be Monday, February 11, 2013 at the United Methodist Church in Sheldon, Iowa from 9:30 until the time of service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that memorials be directed to:Sanford Home, Health and Hospice and the Sheldon United Methodist Church Music Ministry.

Online memorial condolences may be sent to: vanderploegfunerals.com
Arrangements under the care of Vander Ploeg Funeral Home, Sheldon, Iowa.

Harold W. Aeilts

Harold W. Aeilts, age 80 of Rock Rapids, IA died unexpectedly on Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at the Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 12, 2013 at the United Methodist Church in Rock Rapids, IA with Rev. Marcia Sangel, officiating. Burial will follow in the Riverview Cemetery with full military honors.

Visitation will be Monday, February 11th from 2:00 – 8:00 p.m. with the family present from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids.