Bertha Van Den Top

Doon, IA: Bertha A. Van Den Top, 71, of Doon, Iowa, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, June 1, 2024, passing away at Hegg Health Center in Rock Valley, Iowa. What a comfort to know that she loved her Lord and trusted in Him for her salvation. We rejoice in her deliverance but grieve for our loss.

   Bertha’s memorial service will be held Thursday, June 6, at 11:00 AM at the Doon United Reformed Church with Rev. John Vermeer officiating. The service can be livestreamed at http://www.sermonaudio.com/doonurc. Private family burial will be held prior to the service at Hillside Cemetery of Doon. Visitation with the family present will be held Wednesday, June 5, from 5:00-7:00 PM at Doon URC.

   Bertha Aileen (Kooima) Van Den Top was born November 5, 1952, in Hull, IA, to Elmer and Elsie (Gaalswyk) Kooima, the second of four children. She was raised on a farm west of Rock Valley, IA, and graduated from Rock Valley Community School in 1970. She then attended Emmetsburg Community College where she graduated with her LPN degree in 1971.

   Bertha was united in marriage to Gerald Van Den Top on October 15,1971, in Rock Valley. They began their married life in Sioux Center, IA, before moving to an acreage on Highway75 near Doon, IA. In 1979 they replaced the house on the acreage with the Doon Christian Reformed parsonage. Gerald and Bertha welcomed 6 daughters into their home, the first two being the twins. In 1991 they moved from the acreage into Doon.

   Bertha worked as an LPN in the Sioux Center Hospital until the birth of the twins. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years. When most of the girls were in school full time she began working as a part time physical therapy aide at the Hegg Memorial Hospital. Soon after she also began working in their purchasing department. After 30+ years she retired as the director of the purchasing department in 2018.

   Bertha was a woman of many God given gifts. She enjoyed cooking, baking, sewing, quilting, crocheting, scrapbooking and any other type of crafting. She did all of these things with great joy and nothing was finished until it was perfect. She even sewed all 44 bridesmaid dresses for her daughter's weddings. Spending a day crafting with her daughters and grandchildren was always a good day.

   In Gerald and Bertha’s spare time they loved to go camping, travel and take rides on their motorcycle and she cherished the time she spent with her family. The week-long family vacation in Minnesota was a highlight each year. After her retirement, Gerald and Bertha took a trip to Alaska, one place that she always wanted to see. The last few years they were able to spend about 3 weeks each February soaking up the sun in Florida.

   Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, Gerald of 52 years; 6 daughters, Lanette (Kory) Vander Ziel, Lavonne (Aaron) Kelderman, Lori (Mike) Van Bemmel, Leah (Ed) De Jong, Leandra (Jeremy) Hulstein, and Larae (Dereck Van Der Brink); 14 grandchildren, Tyler (Lauren) Kelderman, Nicholas Van Bemmel, Courtney (Colton) Mesman, Lindsey Van Bemmel, Katelyn (Cody) Peet, Ethan (Shelby) Van Bemmel, Trey (Abby) Kelderman, Olivia Hulstein, Kiah Van Der Brink, Karter Vander Ziel, Aralyn Hulstein, Cole Van Der Brink, Kenley Vander Ziel, and Alexis Hulstein; 4 great-grandchildren, Elsie, Ryker, and Evalyn Kelderman, and Oaklynn Mesman; 3 siblings, Joel (Faye) Kooima, Arlan (Cora) Kooima, and Kathy (Henry) Vande Vegte; and Gerald’s 6 sisters, Jean (John) Wynia, Geraldine (Robert) Blankespoor, Hester (Wes) De Groot, Sandy Alsum, Deb (Ron) Hoksbergen, and Sharon Graves.

   Bertha was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Elsie; parents-in-law, Albert and Rika Van Den Top; sister-in-law, Marlene Alsum; and brothers-in-law, Duane Alsum and Herm Graves.