Nellie Gulker

Nellie Gulker, 85 of Sioux Center, died Wednesday, August 13, 2008 at the Sioux Center Community Hospital.

A funeral service will be held Saturday at 11am at Bethel Christian Reformed Church with Reverend Duane Tinklenberg officiating.

Interment will be held at 2:00pm in the Lebanon Christian Reformed Church Cemetery rural Sioux Center.

Visitation will be held Friday from 2-8pm with the family present from 6-8pm at the Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center.

The Gulker family prefers memorials be directed to Unity Christian High School or Western Christian High School.



Nellie Gulker was born to Klaas and Jennie Vastenhout on January 15, 1923 in Valley Springs, South Dakota. On January 19, 1942 she was united in marriage to Peter Gulker in Leota, Minnesota.

Following their marriage, Peter and Nellie farmed near Chandler, Minnesota. In 1956 they settled in Lebanon, Iowa where they owned and operated a grocery store known as the Lebanon Store. Later they operated Gulkers Feed and Grain in Lebanon and Hudson, South Dakota. After retiring they made their home in Sioux Center, Iowa.

After moving to Lebanon, Nellie became a member of Lebanon Christian Reformed Church and in 2000 transferred her membership to Bethel Christian Reformed Church of Sioux Center.

Surviving Nellie are her five children and their spouses: Duane and Marvene Gulker of Ozawkie, KS, Diane and Harlan Kleinhesselink of Alton, Orlan and Evie Gulker of Lebanon, Brenda and Jim Miles of Kansas City, MO, Beva and Greg Van Zanten of Colton, SD along with her 15 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren; many step-grandchildren and step great-grandchildren; sister, Susie Mesman of Edgerton, MN; brother-in-law, Fred Tubergen of Hudsonville, MI; sister-in-law, Katherine Vastenhout of Edgerton, MN and numerous nieces and nephews.

Nellie was preceded in death by husband of 61 years, Peter Gulker; her parents; daughter-in-law, Carol Gulker; brother-in-law, John Mesman; brother, Bill Vastenhout and infant great-grandson, Dawson Bradley Gulker.

Nellie's greatest joys in life were her love for God, her family, handwork, sewing and gardening.