Gordon Van Roekel

Gordon Van Roekel, 82, of Sioux Center died Thursday, November 27, 2008 at the Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls.

A memorial service will be held Monday at 11AM at First Reformed Church of Sioux Center with Rev. Roger Voskuil officiating. Interment will be held prior to the memorial service in Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center.

A prayer service will be held Monday at 10AM at First Reformed Church of Sioux Center.

Visitation will be held Sunday from 2-8pm, with the family present from 2-4PM at Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center.

The Van Roekel Family prefers memorials to Words of Hope Ministries.



Gordon Albert Van Roekel was born on December 6, 1925 to Albert G. and Cena (Doornwaard) Van Roekel in Sioux Center, Iowa. He was raised and educated in Sioux Center, graduating from Sioux Center High School.

From 1944-1946 he served in the U.S. Army as a member of the military police White House Guard attaining the rank of Technician Fifth Grade.

Gordon married Lois Betty Dykshorn on December 6, 1946 at the First Reformed Church of Sioux Center.

Gordon was baptized and made profession of faith at Central Reformed Church in Sioux Center. After his marriage he transferred membership to First Reformed Church, where he was a Sunday school teacher for several years.

Gordon farmed near Sioux Center during his first year of marriage. They moved to the farm near Maurice where they farmed for 27 years. He was employed as a construction foreman at the Ireton and Orange City elevators; was foreman for the Co-op Elevator's new air quality control system. Because of health reasons Gordon and Lois moved to Sioux Center in 1974. He then was employed by the USDA as a crop estimator. He also repaired small appliances. He was well known for his woodworking skills. He was recognized as a master woodworking craftsman and was featured in Fine Woodworking magazine. All his sons and sons-in-law were given wooden gun cases built by Gordon. His eleven grandchildren treasured furniture keepsakes he made and his great grandchildren also enjoy many wooden toys.

Beginning in 1988, Gordon and Lois made their winter home in Mission Bell, Texas. During that time he volunteered for the Childrens Haven International orphanage; much of his time was spent remodeling the childrens homes by building doors, tables, chests of drawers, and cabinets.

He was a member of the Sioux County Extension Council for many years and was a 4-H leader while his children were active in 4-H. He was a member of the chess club and American Legion Post in Sioux Center.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 61 years, Lois Van Roekel of Sioux Center; his four children, their spouses and children:

Mary Fedders and her husband, Vern of Le Mars and their children: Amy (Fedders) Ruhland and her husband, Jeff of Guthrie Center, IA; Angela Fedders of Wichita, KS.

Robert (Bob) and his wife, Karel Van Roekel of Guthrie Center, IA and their children: Jennifer (Van Roekel) Sohn and her husband Ryan of Le Mars, IA; SFC Christopher Van Roekel and his wife, Crystal of Guthrie Center, IA.

Ruth Kooiker and her husband, David of Lake Wilson, MN and their children: Kristi (Kooiker) Eshuis and her husband, Jarret of Brandon, SD; Julie (Kooiker) Moss of Woodstock, MN; Andrew Kooiker and his wife, Melissa of Edgerton, MN; Gregory Kooiker and Trisha Hulstein of Edgerton, MN; Jesse Kooiker of Lake Wilson, MN.

William (Bill) Van Roekel from Nixa, MO and his children: Molly and Emme Van Roekel of Nixa, MO.

Along with 14 great grandchildren who also loved him.

Gordon is also survived by brother, Lloyd Van Roekel and his wife, Elma and brother-in-law, John Sjaarda and his wife, Gert all of Sioux Center.