Mary Louise Van Roekel

Alvord, IA: Mary Louise Van Roekel, 88, formerly of Alvord, Iowa, passed away Friday, April 4, 2025, at Fellowship Village of Inwood, Iowa. A funeral service will be held Wednesday, April 9, at 11:00 AM at Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Inwood with Pastor Sue Sinclair officiating. A luncheon will be held after the service with burial to follow at Christ Lutheran Cemetery of Alvord. Visitation with the family present will be held Tuesday, April 8, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church from 5:30-7:30 PM. 

Mary Louise Van Roekel, daughter of Walter and Alvira (Klein) Katt, was born January 20, 1937, on a farm near Inwood, Iowa. She was a graduate of Inwood High School. On October 25, 1959, Mary was united in marriage with Wallace Dean Van Roekel. To this union, three children were born, Shari, Larry, and Nancy. Wallace and his brother Loren operated a trucking business from 1959-1971 and Mary worked as their dispatcher. The couple then farmed near Alvord, Iowa until Wallace’s death in 2012. Mary eventually moved off the farm to Larchwood, Iowa for a couple of years until relocating to Westfield, Indiana to live with Nancy and her family. In 2024 Mary moved to Fellowship Village in Inwood.

Mary will be remembered not only for her kind heart, but also for the love she poured into every meal she made. A truly gifted cook, Mary had a special way of bringing people together around her table. She found joy in nourishing others, and many will fondly recall the warmth of her home and the comfort of her cooking. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren and also enjoyed cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Mary is survived by her 3 children, Shari (Lou) Knobloch of Rock Rapids, Iowa, Larry (Debbie) Van Roekel of Larchwood, Iowa and Nancy (Tony) Trullinger of Westfield, Indiana; 7 grandchildren, Lance (Katlyn) Van Roekel, Katie Kirkland, Holly (Kyle) Scholten, Becky (Tyler) Palmer, BJ (Cassie) Van Roekel, Carolyn Trullinger, and Lilly Trullinger; 10 great-grandchildren; brother, Jim (Lynne) Katt; and 2 sisters, Karen (Doug) Wiggins and Kathleen (Gary) Dieren.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Alvira Katt; husband, Wallace Van Roekel; son-in-law, Robert Kirkland; and 6 siblings, Dorothy (Marinus) Ter Wee, Jean (Ralph) Kock, Elaine (LeRoy) Osvog, Don (June) Katt, Dale (Millie) Katt, and Bill Katt.