Gertrude Folkerts

Inwood, IA: Gertrude Folkerts, 90 of Sioux Center, Iowa, formerly Inwood, Iowa, died Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at Sioux Center Health. A funeral service for Gert will be held Friday, July 5, at 10:30 AM at the Inwood Christian Reformed Church with Rev. Tim Ouwinga officiating. Burial will follow at Richland Cemetery of Inwood. A luncheon and time for visiting with the family will take place at Inwood CRC following the committal service.

Memorials in Gert’s memory may be directed to Inwood Christian School or Vi Bella. Due to the recent flood in Rock Valley and the July 4th Holiday, flower and memorial gift orders can be placed with The Garden Shed in Canton, South Dakota at 605-310-3417. Orders should be placed by 3:00 PM, Wednesday, July 3, 2024. Porter Funeral Home of Inwood is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.

 Gertrude “Gert” (Van Bemmel) Folkerts, daughter of Fredrich and Wilhelmina (Augustinus) Van Bemmel, was born at home in rural Estelline, South Dakota on April 28, 1934. She received her education at Cozy Cottage rural school, graduated from Castlewood, South Dakota High School, and obtained a stenographic degree from Nettleton Business College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She was employed in the business office at John Morrell.

 On September 7, 1956, Gert married Cornelius “Cornie” Folkerts in Sioux Falls at the First Christian Reformed Church. The couple moved to a farm near Inwood, Iowa in March 1957 where they raised their four children, Jeffrey, Julie, Lori, and Gregory. The couple moved into Inwood in 1997.

 Gert’s passion in life was her family. It was important to her that they knew she loved them and that they also knew they were loved by God.

 Gert was a member of the Inwood Christian Reformed Church where she served as a Sunday School teacher and superintendent, Calvinette (GEMS) counselor, and participated in various Bible study groups for several years. She was active in many community organizations, including, Canton-Inwood Hospital Auxiliary, Women’s Club, American Legion Auxiliary, and served for many years as a Lyon County poll official in Inwood’s city and Lyon County’s elections. Gert was also an active member and past president of the Fellowship Village Auxiliary.

 Gert dearly loved each one of her children and grandchildren. Survivors include 2 children, Julie (Kirk) Hulstein of Sioux Center, Iowa and Gregory (Jill) Folkerts of Lafayette, Indiana; 10 grandchildren, Jason Folkerts, Jarod Folkerts, Amanda (Carlos) Bahena, Matthew (Tracey) Hulstein, Christopher Hulstein, Nichole (Tim) Van Dyke, Cynthia Centofanti, Marcel Folkerts, Daniel Folkerts, and Emma Folkerts; 8 great-grandchildren, Celia, Isaiah, and Isabella Bahena, Wyatt and Genivieve Van Dyke, and Nora, Emily, and Ava Hulstein; sister, Kathy DeWit of Sioux Center; brother, Art Van Bemmel of Spokane, Washington; and sister-in-law, Judy Carsley of Newberg, Oregon.

 Gert was preceded in death by her parents, Fredrich and Wilhelmina; husband, Cornie; son Jeffrey; daughter, Lauren; brothers, Adrian, John, William, Ralph, Cornie, and Vern Van Bemmel; and sisters, Freda Saathoof, Sophie Bruinsma, Lena Bakke, Margaret Van Bemmel, Jennie Tillma, Agnes Bleeker, and Ida Leibsch.