Gertrude Vande Stouwe

Rock Valley, Iowa: Gertrude Vande Stouwe, 91, of Rock Valley, Iowa, died Thursday, October 10, 2024, at Avera Health in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. A funeral service will be held Wednesday, October 16, at 10:30 AM at Porter Funeral Home of Rock Valley with Rev. J.J. Witvoet officiating. Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery of Rock Valley. Visitation with the family present will be held Tuesday, October 15, from 5:30-7:30 PM at Porter Funeral Home of Rock Valley. The Funeral Service will be audio streamed on her obituary page on the funeral home website.

 Porter Funeral Home of Rock Valley has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements for Mrs. Vande Stouwe. Condolences may be left for the family at www.porterfuneralhomes.com. 

Gertrude “Gert” Vande Stouwe passed away on Thursday, October 10, 2024, at Avera Health. She was born on February 1, 1933, near Rock Valley, Iowa, the daughter of Ralph and Effie (Maassen) Van Ginkel. She grew up in the Inwood, Iowa area, graduating from Inwood High School.

On May 20, 1953, she married William “Bill” Vande Stouwe in rural Inwood. From 1954-56, they lived in Fort Lee, Virginia, while Bill served in the US Army. After Bill’s service in the Army, they returned to Inwood where they farmed and raised their family. Gert enjoyed working in the laundry area at Fellowship Village and volunteering at the NRCS library. In March 2004, they retired to Rock Valley. Bill passed away in May 2007, after nearly 54 years of marriage. Gert moved to Aspen Heights Senior Living in September 2019 and to Whispering Heights in May 2023.

Gert loved spending time with her family, babysitting her grandchildren, crocheting, and traveling. Gert was a faithful member of the Netherlands Reformed Church.

Gert is survived by her five Children and Spouses – Randy (Carol) Vande Stouwe, Nancy (Mark) Van Otterloo, Todd (Kelley) Vande Stouwe, all of Inwood, Iowa; Cheryl (Rob) Driesen, Ireton, Iowa; Myra (Dale) Zomer, Harrisburg, South Dakota; her loving Grandchildren – Kristina (Joe) Tracy, Holly (Jason) Horstman, Jason (Taunia) Vande Stouwe; Elese Van Otterloo; Chenoa Vande Stouwe, Cheyenne Vande Stouwe; Michayla (Elie) Hofer, Jade Driesen, Sterling (Maria) Driesen, Lydia Driesen, Betsy Driesen; Cierra (Matt) Triplett, Damon (Brooklynn) Zomer, Mikiah (Andrew) Bailey, Taya Zomer, Mesa Zomer; and nine special Great-Grandchildren – KayLynn, Brooke and Max, Hadlee, Korbin and Ridge; Odin; Evelyn and Charlie.

She is also survived by one brother, John (Jeanette) Van Ginkel; three brothers-in-law, John Van Beek, Jr, Gerrit (Lois) Vande Stouwe, and Clarence (Faye) Vande Stouwe; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; her father and mother-in-law; her brother, Everett (Hermina) Van Ginkel; her sisters, Roevina (Gilbert C.) Hoogendoorn, and Ethel Van Beek; her brothers and sisters-in-law, Jake (Margaret) Vande Stouwe and Alice (Albert) Bakker.

Memorials may be directed to Netherlands Reformed Christian School or to Whispering Heights or to NRC Senior Living Fund.