Margaret Van Otterloo

Rock Valley, IA: Margaret Van Otterloo, 97, died Monday, November 9, 2015 at Whispering Heights Nursing Home, Rock Valley, Iowa. Memorial services will be at 2:00 PM Saturday, November 14, 2015 at the Calvin Christian Reformed Church, Rock Valley with Rev. Gideon Wamala officiating. Private burial will be before the service at Valley View Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, November 13, 2015 with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Porter Funeral Home, Rock Valley.

Margaret Delia Vander Velde was born to Peter and Josie (Wissink) Vander Velde at Rock Valley, Iowa, on April 9, 1918. Margaret was a 1937 graduate of the Rock Valley Community High School. Margaret was united in marriage to Clarence (Cliff) Van Otterloo on May 29, 1937. Together the couple made their home in Rock Valley before moving to Minnesota in 1949.

While living in Luverne, Margaret and Cliff were members of the Christian Reformed Church where she served as a Calvinette leader and Sunday school teacher. She worked at the Community Hospital and Mary Jane Brown Home.

Margaret and Cliff retired to Rock Valley, Iowa, in 1980. They were members of Calvin Christian Reformed Church where Margaret was a faithful attendee of Faith Circle. She was active in Christian Women’s Club, and volunteered for many years at Justice For All, Hope Haven International Ministries, and the Senior Citizen Center. She enjoyed reading, handwork, traveling, and visiting her children.

Margaret and Cliff were married nearly 62 years. Together, before his death in 1999, they enjoyed over twenty winters as snowbirds in Arizona, made a memorable trip to Alaska and traveled throughout the United States.

After a fall in May of 2013, Margaret moved to Whispering Heights Nursing Home. She loved her “home” there and felt pampered and loved by the staff. Her family will forever be grateful for the loving care she received there.

Margaret is survived by her six children: Son, Howard (Judy) of Salem, OR; and daughters: Judy (Fred) Smeins of College Station, TX; Darlene Stegenga of Sioux Falls, SD; Clare (Harlan) Van Dis of Rock Valley, IA; Shirley (Fenton) Groen of Rochester, NH; Debbie (Dale) Granneman of Faribault, MN; plus many grandchildren and great grandchildren and sister-in-law, Gertrude Vander Velde of Rock Valley.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; siblings, Martin Vander Velde, Peter Vander Velde, Janet Kruizenga and Anna Mae Gerritson; son-in-law, Pierre Stegenga; daughter-in-law, Elaine Van Otterloo; grandson, Tim Van Dis and great-grandson, Elijah Shrift.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to Hope Haven International Ministries 1800 19th St. Rock Valley, IA 51247.

Visitation

6:00 - 8:00 PM ,Friday, November 13, 2015
Porter Funeral Home ~ Rock Valley
1704 15th Street Rock Valley, Iowa, Sioux 51247

Memorial Service

2:00 PM ,Saturday, November 14, 2015
Calvin Christian Reformed Church
1804 17th Avenue Rock Valley, Iowa 51247