Ardene Ellen Ver Hoef

     Ardene Ver Hoef, age 84, of Sioux Center, Iowa, passed away Saturday, October 9, 2021, at Friendly Horizons Assisted Living & Memory Care in Sioux Center.

     Memorial services will be at 10:30 AM, Friday, October 15^th, at Central Reformed Church of Sioux Center with Rev. Van Rathbun officiating.

     Prayer service for family and friends will be held at 9:30AM, Friday at the Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center. Interment will follow the prayer service in the Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center.

     Visitation will be Thursday, October 14th, with family present from 5-7PM at the Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center. Family would appreciate masks being worn.

     In lieu of flowers the Ver Hoef family prefers memorials be directed to Atlas of Sioux Center or the Sioux Center Library.

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     Ardene Ellen Sandbulte was born in rural Sioux Center, Iowa on April 26, 1937, to Ben and Rena (Rensink) Sandbulte. Ardene was raised in Sioux Center where she attended public school and graduated in 1954. She then went to Central College in Pella, Iowa, for two years, and received an elementary-school teaching certificate. During college summer breaks Ardene had a job as lifeguard and swimming instructor at Sandy Hollow near Sioux Center. In spring of 1956, Ardene traveled by train and ship to Germany. On June 16, 1956, Ardene Ellen Sandbulte and Specialist 3 Arnold Glen Ver Hoef were married twice in Zwiebrucken, Germany. The first wedding took place that morning in the Rathaus (courthouse) in Midtown Zwiebrucken; the second wedding happened at 1:30 PM in the chapel at the Army post on the hills outside of town, with all of Arnie's company attending.

     After returning from Germany, Ardene and Arnie purchased a house in Sioux Center.  While Arnie delivered milk and went to work for his father at Ver Hoef Chevrolet, Ardene taught sixth grade from 1958-1960, before focusing on raising her three children. Ardene was an avid reader and strong supporter of education and her community. She served on the Sioux Center Library Board, Sioux Center Hospital Board, CHEARS Advisory Board, AEA 4 Board, Plains Area Mental Health Center Board, Northwest Iowa RCA Cursillo Secretariat, and she was a co-chairperson for the Sioux Center Centennial Steering Committee.

  
     Ardene and Arnie had a strong faith and joined the congregation of Central Reformed Church in Sioux Center, where Ardene served on the Consistory and was active in Bible study groups. Ardene loved music, singing in trios and other musical groups throughout her life, including church choir. Ardene was devoted to her family and attended any event or performance of her children or grandchildren, often flying to Alaska. Ardene was a life-long learner and passionate about travel as an opportunity to learn about people and places.  Together with her daughter, Anne, and often other family members, Ardene traveled within the US and nearly 50 other countries.  Her joy in sharing stories and photos of her travel adventures was infectious.  Ardene's generosity was also well-known; she would cook and bake for visitors and organized events, and she was famous for her chocolate chip cookies and other treats.  

     Ardene is survived by her three children: son, Jay and Mary (Schoder) Ver Hoef from Fairbanks, Alaska; daughter, Anne Ver Hoef and Mike Schoder from Anchorage, Alaska; daughter, Kathy (Ver Hoef) and Kembe Hulstein of Sioux Center, Iowa; 7 grandchildren: Lander Ver Hoef and Shannon Golden of Fort Collins, Colorado, Mariah Ver Hoef and Christoper Knowles of Johnstown, Colorado, Savanna (Hulstein) and Houston Hartwig of Sioux Center, Sierra (Hulstein) and Curtis Hayes of Fennimore, Wisconsin, Jazmine (Hulstein) and Aaron Sneller, Rosette Hulstein, and Stetson Hulstein all of Sioux Center; and four great-grandchildren: Rhett and Knox Hartwig and Canaan Sneller, of Sioux Center, and Willa Mae Hayes of Fennimore, Wisconsin. Ardene is survived by a brother, Arend and Verna Sandbulte of Duluth, Minnesota; sister Dorothy and Bill Baldwin of Maryville, Missouri; brother Wilbur and Leslie Sandbulte of Paradise Valley, Arizona, sister Esther and Michael Hanlon of South Haven, Minnesota, and sister Rachel Eisinger of Whitefish, Montana, as well as many nieces and nephews.

     Ardene was preceded in death by Arnie and her parents.