Darlene Jean Van Holland

Rock Valley, IA: Darlene Jean Van Holland, 87, of Rock Valley, Iowa, passed away Saturday, January 14, 2023, at Hegg Health Center of Rock Valley. Visitation will be held Tuesday, January 17, at Trinity Christian Reformed Church of Rock Valley from 1:00–7:00 PM with the family present at the church from 5:00-7:00 PM. A prayer service will be held Wednesday, January 18, at 10:00 AM at Trinity CRC, with burial to follow at Valley View Cemetery of Rock Valley. A memorial service will follow the burial at 11:00 AM at Trinity CRC with Rev. Dan De Groot officiating. The service will be livestreamed at https://trinitycrc.com/.

   Darlene Van Holland, daughter of Martin and Gertrude (Moss) De Jager, was born April 27, 1935, in Sioux City, Iowa. She attended Country School and Sioux Center Community School. After graduation she took the train to Sioux City to attend St Luke’s School of Nursing. Darlene married John H. Van Holland on July 26, 1955, at the Carmel Reformed Church. He soon headed overseas and Darlene took up her nursing career at the Sioux Center Hospital, while living at home with her parents. When Rock Valley Hegg Memorial opened their doors, she continued her 48-year nursing career at Hegg while she and John raised 8 children on the family farm south of Rock Valley. Darlene enjoyed packing for Brouwer Relocation for a number of years.

   Darlene was a member of First CRC and a charter member of Trinity CRC. She was involved in many servant opportunities a few of which included Bible studies and Crossroads Prison Ministries. Darlene and John served in mission work for many years, traveling to Nashville and Mississippi. Darlene was a devoted wife and mother who was a model of Christian love, patience and unselfishness to both her family and many others.

   She is lovingly remembered by her 7 children, 38 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren:

Doug and Geri Van Holland

  John (Jessica) Van Holland – Spencer, Jackson & Samuel

  Ben (Sarah) Van Holland - Andrew, Thea & Abram

Pam and Jerry Van Roekel

  Jeff (Candy) Van Roekel - Lily, Alexander, Abigail & William

  Eric (Rachel) Van Roekel - Grace, Hannah, Ava, Isabelle & Emma

  Matthew (Heidi) Van Roekel - Josiah & Brielle

  Michael (Becky) Van Roekel - Trinity & Holland

Dave and Leanne Van Holland

  Kyle Van Holland - Cecelia

Laura and Glen Sneller

  Ryan (Jenna) Sneller - Ruby & Layla

  Joshua (Courtney) Sneller - Harrison & Brooklyn

  Kara (Jordan) Acevedo - Conley

  Brent (Maryellen) Sneller

Bryan and Bonnie Van Holland

  Darin (Alese) Van Holland - Natalie & Vivienne

  Travis (Valerie) Van Holland - Lucas & Cora

  Erica (Codey) Kallweit - Chloe & Cooper

Lyle and Sharla Van Holland

  Jessica (Cory) De Weerd

  Alex (Haley) Van Holland - Maddox

Cindy and Brad Kamstra

  Justin Kamstra

  Jennifer (Christopher) Baccam,

  Brandon Kamstra

  Braelynn Kamstra

  Aaron Kamstra

   Siblings: Lavonne Riphagen, Elaine Kragt, Diane (Roger) DeHaan, Gloria (Tom) Vanden Bosch, Marvin (Jennie) De Jager. Brother-in-law: Tom (Marlene) Van Holland.

   Darlene was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John; daughter, Carol; infant brother, Danny; grandson, Jason Van Holland; and great-grandchildren, Mya Sneller, Emery Acevedo and Grayson Acevedo.

What did Darlene enjoy?

Being a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.

Singing and memorizing scripture.

A good game of cards with friends.

Poems written for many occasions - jotting on a napkin, paper plate, or a used envelope.

Camping with family and friends and having the kids lined up at her door for pancakes.

Being outdoors; especially sitting in the sun.

Nursing; praying at many bedsides.

Sunday dinners with everyone’s favorites.

Always having an extra chair.

Farm living - helping with the chores; a good round of golf.

Bringing meals to the field, for John and many others.

Gardening - fresh tomatoes, green beans, and cucumbers for the batches of society chips pickles.

Flower gardens unending; mowing the lawn.

Taking the grandkids to the creek or the bowling alley.

Hot dogs roasting over the burn barrel, adventures abounded on every farm visit.

Crocheting and sharing all those stitches with others.

Doilies for bridal showers and blankets for every baby.

A good cup of coffee on the porch with a friend.

Praying and learning from God’s word.

Making strawberry jam, Christmas cookies, rhubarb shortcake, and apple crisp; every batch was made to be delivered to someone.

Mailing packages of every shape and size.  

Hospitality was certainly her gift. Barefoot or not, clean house or dirty, her door and heart were open to all.

Many a new family, Hope Haven clients, strangers, they were all family at her house.

Her love and compassion for others was limitless.

Always a smile to share.

“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds us all together in perfect unity”

Colossians 3:14