Basil Vander Helm

     Basil Vander Helm, age 90 of Sioux Center, IA died Thursday, April 22, 2021 at Royale Meadows Care Center in Sioux Center.

     A Funeral service will take place at 11:00 AM, Monday, April 26, 2021 at the Central Reformed Church in Sioux Center with Reverend Jesse Henkle officiating. Burial will follow in Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center.

     Public visitation will be on Monday April 26^th from 9:30 AM until the time of the service at 11:00 AM at the church.

     The Vander Helm family prefer memorials be directed to Sioux Center Hospice or the Sioux Center Health foundation.

     Basil Henry Vander Helm was born February 12, 1931 to Simon and Carrie (Janssen)Vander Helm in Elk Point, SD. Basil’s father passed away when he was 4 months old. As a child, he lived with his mother and siblings near Akron, IA and Hawarden, IA before moving to Sioux Center. Basil attended Sioux Center High School and graduated while in the Army.

     Basil served in the US Army from 1952 – 1954. On May 31, 1953, Basil was joined in marriage to Lavina Tressler at the Church of God in New Cumberland, PA. The couple later returned to Sioux Center where Basil went to work at the US Post Office. He faithfully worked for the post office for 42 years. Over his time at the post office, he served in various capacities from a mail carrier, clerk, supervisor and as the postmaster for 15 years. He retired in 1989.

     Basil was a member of the Central Reformed Church of Sioux Center where he served as both a deacon and an elder over the years. He enjoyed singing and was a member of the Central Church choir for many years.   In his free time, Basil liked wood working and building furniture including some items for the church. He also volunteered for various charities. Through all these activities, spending time with his family remained his highest priority.

     Survivors include his wife, Lavina Vander Helm of Sioux Center, two children: Sharon (Gregg) Miller and Warren (Barbara) Vander Helm all of Sioux Center; 6 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Ramona Vander Helm of Akron, IA, one step-sister, Bertha (Marv) Sjaarda of Paullina, IA and numerous nieces and nephews.

     He was preceded in death by his parents; six brothers: George (Vivian) Vander Helm. Allen Vander Helm, John (Doris) Vander Helm, Sam (Bernice) Vander Helm, Henry (Eileen) Vander Helm, infant brother, Henry; one sister, Marie (Henry) Obbink and step-father John Ter Haar.