Gilbert Van Holland

Rock Valley, IA: Gilbert Van Holland, 85, of Rock Valley, Iowa, died Friday, October 16, 2020, at Hegg Health Center in Rock Valley. Memorial service will be held Saturday, October 31, at 11:00 AM at Trinity Christian Reformed Church of Rock Valley with Rev. Henry Lengkeek officiating. Private family burial, with military rites, will be held prior to the service at Valley View Cemetery of Rock Valley. Visitation, with the family present, will be held Friday, October 30, from 5:00-7:00 PM at the church. Porter Funeral Home of Rock Valley is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. Memorials may be given to Justice For All in Rock Valley. 

   Gilbert Van Holland, son of Tom and Grace (Harmsen) Van Holland, was born November 21, 1934, at Rock Valley, Iowa. Growing up he attended Rock Valley Christian Grade School and Western Christian High School. Gilbert proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army from 1956-1958. Upon his honorable discharge from the Army, Gilbert was united in marriage with Arlene Vonk on December 26, 1958, at Rock Valley. Together the couple were blessed with 5 children: Susan, Kevin, Leslie, Nancy, and Sara. Gilbert spent 42 years working for Kooima Machine (Total Component Solution), retiring in May 2001.

   Gilbert was a charter member of Trinity Christian Reformed Church where he served as a deacon, elder, and Sunday School Teacher. He also served as a Rock Valley Cadets counselor. Some of Gilbert’s joys were playing 22 years of fastpitch softball, golfing, watching the Iowa Hawkeyes, and volunteering at Justice For All.

   Gilbert is survived by his wife of 61 years, Arlene; 5 children, Susan (Roger) Wubben of Clara City, Minnesota, Kevin (Brenda) Van Holland of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Leslie (Tina) Van Holland of LeMars, Iowa, Nancy (Kelvin) Den Boer of Underwood, Minnesota, and Sara (Jacey) Stapleton of Sioux Falls; 13 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; sister, Thelma (Harold) Van Bemmel of Orange City, Iowa; and sister-in-law, Gerri Van Holland of Rock Valley.

   Preceding Gilbert in death were his parents, Tom and Grace; and 3 siblings, Elsie Tiemeyer, John T. Van Holland, and Gerrit Van Holland.