Gertrude Jane Vis

ROCK VALLEY, IA: Gertrude Jane Vis, 101, of Rock Valley, IA, passed away on January 13, 2025, at her earthly home and went to her eternal home in Heaven. She was lovingly cared for by hospice, her children and grandchildren her last few weeks here on earth. 

 A celebration of Gertrude’s life will be held on Saturday, January 18, at the First Christian Reformed Church in Rock Valley at 10:30 AM with Rev. Matthew Haan officiating. The service will be livestreamed at https://www.christianworldmedia.com/livechannel/firstcrcrv. Interment will be held at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Sioux Center, IA, after a light lunch following the service. Public viewing will be held Friday, January 17, from Noon-5:00 PM at Porter Funeral Home in Rock Valley. 

 The family is requesting no flowers or gifts please. Memorials given in memory of Gert will be given to Veteran organizations. 

 Gertrude Jane De Groot was born on December 15, 1923, at home on the farm near Doon, IA, to Abraham and Jennie (Koel) De Groot. Gertrude was the eighth of ten children. Later the family moved SW of Sioux Center, IA, where Gertrude attended country school through eighth grade. On May 24, 1942, Gertrude made profession of faith at the First Christian Reformed Church of Sioux Center. Still found in the back of her Bible were the verses given to her that Sunday – Ephesians 6:16 and Micah 6:8. 

 On February 15, 1943, she married the love of her life, Edward Vis, on her parents’ farm. Gert would sit right next to Ed in the car (before seat belt restrictions) wherever they went. Gert was a devoted wife working beside Ed on the farm south of Hull, IA, running the concession stand at the fast pitch league in Rock Valley, fixing rental properties in Sioux City, IA, or tending to a vending route they had. Ed and Gert were blessed with five children, William (Betty) Vis of, Mesa AZ, Janice Carrell of New Orleans, LA, Loretta Vis of Sheldon, IA, Sandra (Ken) Wolthuizen of Sheldon, IA, and Gerrit (Kay) Vis of Rock Valley, IA. They traveled side by side visiting their children throughout the United States. She continued to travel to visit her children even after Ed passed away. Their love for each other was an example of a loving Christian marriage. Ed passed away on May 14, 1990. Gert immediately became a volunteer for hospice, caring for others instead of feeling sorry for herself. 

 Gert loved God. She often said “I am so blessed” right up to her last days. She loved going to church to hear God’s Word preached. She would back the car into her parking spot as good as any truck driver. She wasn’t going to be the person to back into someone at church. The last two years she faithfully watched 2 services on TV each week. Saying almost every week, “Wasn’t that a good sermon” or “I think that sermon was for me”. 

 Gert loved her five children and their families. She was a loving and kind grandma; often getting visits from grandchildren traveling for hours to spend a day or two with her or going miles out of their way to say hi and spend a little time with her. Her teenage great-grandchildren would stop by alone or in groups of 3 or 6 just to talk to great-grandma. She was a good listener, never judged, or spoke harshly and you were always offered a cookie, banana bread and a sucker when you left.

 Gert’s legacy is her family. She is survived by her 5 children and their spouses; 18 grandchildren; 50 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandchild. Gert is also survived by a brother-in-law, John Vis from MI.

 Proceeding Gert in death were her parents; her husband’s parents, William and Hattie Vis; husband; great-grandson, Kane Van Bemmel; 9 siblings and their spouses; and Ed’s 10 siblings and 11 of their spouses.