Helena E Van Ravenswaay

     Helena Van Ravenswaay, age 88, of Sioux Center, IA died Monday, October 15, 2018 at Whispering Heights Care Center in Rock Valley, IA.

     Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 19, 2018 at the Netherlands Reformed Church in Sioux Center with Rev. H. Hofman, officiating. Interment will follow the service in Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center. There will be a private family prayer service at 9:00 a.m. at Memorial Funeral Home.

     Visitation with the family present will be held on Thursday from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center.

     The Van Ravenswaay family prefer memorials be directed to the Netherlands Reformed Christian School.

     Helena Elizabeth Van Ravenswaay was born October 9, 1930, to John and Mary (Vander Waal) Vander Boon in Ada, Michigan. She attended country school through the 8th grade.   Lena’s family moved from Michigan to Rock Valley, Iowa when she was a young lady.

     On February 8, 1954, Lena was joined in marriage to Adrian Van Ravenswaay. The couple made their home on a farm near Sioux Center.   Lena stayed busy tending the home and caring for the couple’s six children.

     Lena was a member of the Sioux Center, Netherlands Reformed Congregation and was a dedicated member of the Dorcas Society.   She enjoyed sewing and quilting and tending to her flower and vegetable gardens. She especially loved spending time with her family.

     Two years after Adrian passed away in 2007, Lena moved to Hull, Iowa where she resided until moving to Whispering Heights in Rock Valley last year.

     She is survived by four daughters: Dianne Van Ravenswaay of Minneapolis, MN, Marilyn and Greg Peter of Tyler, MN, JoAnn and Willis Groeneweg of Corsica, SD and Esther Van Ravenswaay of Hull; two sons: Norman and Sherry Van Ravenswaay of Rock Valley, Lyle and Mary Van Ravenswaay of Hull; 21 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Orie, John and Abe Vander Boon; and four sisters: Pauline Groen, Ann Vlastuin, Marie Rozeboom, and Connie Brown.

     Helena was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Adrian, and four sisters: Sarah Key, Sybil Van Veldhuizen, Ada Rozeboom and Joey Vander Boon.