Gertrude Vander Velde

Rock Valley, IA: Gertrude Vander Velde, 94, of Rock Valley, died Tuesday, February 23, 2016 at Whispering Heights of Rock Valley. Memorial service will be 4:00 p.m. Friday, February 26 at Faith Reformed Church of Rock Valley with Rev. Mike Molenaar officiating. Private family burial will be held prior at Valley View Cemetery. Visitation, with family present, will be Friday, February 26 at Porter Funeral Home of Rock Valley from 2:00-3:00 p.m. Memorials may be directed to the Foster Grandparent Program of Rock Valley and condolences may be left for the family at www.porterfuneralhomes.com.

Gertrude Christina (Spenkelink) Vander Velde was born on April 5, 1921 to John and Geraldine (Roelofs) Spenkelink in Sioux Center, Iowa. She attended Sioux Center Christian School and Sioux Center High School. During that time the family attended Central Reformed Church where Gertrude was baptized and professed her faith in Jesus. After she graduated from high school, Gertrude moved to Bronson, Iowa where she worked at her brother’s grocery store. During this time, she met and later married Martin Vander Velde from Rock Valley, Iowa. They married on December 12, 1941 in Sioux Center, Iowa. They lived south of Rock Valley where they farmed for over 20 years. Gertrude often told stories of her days learning about farm life, having no idea what farming even was as she was a “town girl”. She was a great homemaker doing cleaning, cooking, canning and freezing fruits and vegetables, and she helped on the farm when she could. While living on the farm, Martin and Gertrude were active members of First Reformed Church in Rock Valley. She taught beginners Sunday school for some 20 years and served in different ladies’ groups and Bible studies. During this time, they also raised two of their four children, Jim and Diane. Martin and Gertrude moved into Rock Valley in 1965.

Gertrude enjoyed having friends and family over for “coffee” and sharing wonderful times camping, reading, and doing crafts. She enjoyed cooking and playing cards. She shared her walk with the Lord to people visiting their home. Gertrude volunteered at church and school. She loved children and did home daycare for many years. She was involved in Homemaker’s Club. She also spearheaded a MS cookbook project selling over 8,000 books with all profits going to the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

While living in Rock Valley, Martin and Gertrude raised two daughters, Gerri and Michelle. Later Gertrude was a foster grandma for 15 years, working in the Rock Valley Elementary School. Martin and Gertrude also worked part time as janitors at Faith Reformed Church in Rock Valley. Martin died in 1994.

Gertrude moved to Four Seasons in 2003 and then moved to Whispering Heights in 2012. She cherished the friendships she made while living there. Gertrude was grateful for all the caring staff and caregivers she had in her last years. Gertrude took her mission in life to love God and love people seriously, and she accomplished both very well. She left a legacy of faith.

Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Jim and Gracia Vander Velde, Diane Vander Velde, all of Rock Valley; Gerri and Tracy Wells of Council Bluffs, Iowa; and Michelle and Jack Woodfork of Germany; 12 grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren.

Visitation

Memorial Service