John Van Roekel

John G. A. Van Roekel was born February 14th, 1918, to Geurt "Gerrit" and Hattie (Vande Berg) Van Roekel and was born on a farm in Sioux County. He attended school in Sioux Center, where he met the love of his life, Martha Wierda. John and Martha were wed on February 20th, 1942 and after a short stay in California, settled down on the family farm in Sioux County where they farmed and raised four children. Their life centered around their faith in God and around their church life at Central Reformed Church, enjoying their many brothers and sisters and friends in the church. Joining Martha in a business venture, John and Martha ran a successful restaurant, the Tri State Café, in addition to farming. After retirement and sale of the restaurant, John and Martha built a new home in Sioux Center, and began a new phase of 'city' living. John delighted in going to the farm to help his sons Larry and Mike, operating the tractors, and freely giving advice and counsel. John and Martha both enjoyed hand crafting items, whereby John will be remembered for wood working, including frames, trays, wooden stair shelves and doll houses, and Martha for her hand made dolls and painted china. After Martha's death in 2002, John continued to stay busy with his Harper Broom business and truly enjoyed visiting with each and every one of his customers. John was a wonderful conversationalist and was always willing to listen and tell stories to everyone he met. He worked hard in his life and always counseled his children that 'work never killed anyone.' John dearly loved his family and even in his last days, his face would light up when those great grand children would come running in and give him a big hug, or the last picture that they had colored for him. The children could always expect his 'hot diggity dog' response, a big smile and an invitation to have a cookie or a piece of candy. John's legacy will long be cherished by his family and friends and he will be keenly missed. John is survived by his four children, Larry and his dearest friend Beth Finch of Sioux Center, Janet and her husband Jeffrey Harcum of Hinton, Virginia and her husband Stan Oordt of Sioux Center, and Mike and his wife Judy (Boersma) of Sioux Center. John's grandchildren and great grandchildren include: Faye (Michael) De Smit and children Allie, Jasmine, and Christopher; Chad (Melissa) Van Roekel and children Ginger and Cyla; Meryl (Jon) Anderson and children Alexis and Breckin; Andrew (Rachel) Harcum and Lorelai; Eric (Rachelle) Oordt and children Jenna and Emily; Brian Oordt and special friend Kristin Franken, Teresa (Kyle) Blankers; Shawna (Nathan) Vander Plaats; and Joshua Van Roekel and children Aspen and Tristan. John is also survived by his sister and close friend, Jean Mieras of Sheldon, just 3 years his senior, and many wonderful nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his wife Martha, by his great granddaughter Serenity Van Roekel, and by two brothers and four sisters.