Elma Van Roekel

Elma Van Roekel, 83, of Sioux Center, IA, died Monday January 11th, 2016, at Sioux Center Health.

A visitation will be held on Friday from 4-8PM, with the family present from 5-7PM at the New Life Reformed Church of Sioux Center.

A prayer service for family and friends will be held on Saturday at 10:00AM at the New Life Reformed Church of Sioux Center. Interment will follow the prayer service in Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday at 11:00AM at the New Life Reformed Church of Sioux Center with Rev. Dr. Ray Tilstra and Rev. Dan Kruse officiating.

The Van Roekel family prefers memorials to Justice For All of Rock Valley.

Arrangements entrusted to Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center.

Complete obituary at www.MFHonline.com.


Elma Ruth Van Roekel was born May 6, 1932 to Henry R. and Della (Kroon) Van De Berg at Sioux Center, Iowa. She was a graduate of Sioux Center High School. Elma married Lloyd Van Roekel on June 28, 1951 at her parent’s home.

As a young woman Elma worked at Van’s Jewelry and later First National Bank while Lloyd served in the US Army. For a time Elma joined Lloyd at Ft. Knox, Kentucky where she worked at a civilian payroll office.

Following Lloyd’s discharge from the army, they returned to Sioux Center where Elma was a member of Central Reformed Church. Later they settled near Newkirk, Iowa where they farmed for many years. Elma was a member of Newkirk Reformed Church and it was there she began singing as a member of the Melodaires Mixed Quartet for 37 years. In the 1980’s Elma and Lloyd purchased their home in Sioux Center where Elma became an active member of New Life Reformed Church.

Over the years Elma served as the secretary of the Sioux County Fair Board. She volunteered for the Sioux Center Chamber of Commerce welcoming “newcomers” to Sioux Center and also was involved with Justice For All in Rock Valley. For many years Elma was known as an encourager to many through her many prayers and cards to others. She loved music and enjoyed being around people, especially her family.

Surviving is her husband of 64 years, Lloyd Van Roekel of Sioux Center; two sons and daughters-in-law: Mark and Brenda Van Roekel of Orange City and Paul and Linda Van Roekel of Sioux Center; daughter, Janet and Brian Amundson of Eau Claire, WI, six grandchildren and their spouses, 4 great grandchildren; two brothers and sisters-in-law: Ralph and Mary Van De Berg of Sioux Center and Wilmer and Wynetta Van De Berg of Sioux Center; three sisters and brothers-in-law: Verna and Arend Sandbulte of Duluth, MN, Hendrene and John Zoet of Hull, Ardith and Verdean Wynja of Sioux Center; sisters-in-law: Joane Van De Berg of Luverne, MN and Lois Van Roekel of Sioux Center.

Elma was preceded in death by her parents; sister and brother-in-law, Eldora and Harold Van Zandbergen; brother, Harold Van De Berg and brother-in-law, Gordon Van Roekel.