Gerald Van Roekel

Gerald Van Roekel, age 87, of Sioux Center, IA, died Sunday, October 17, 2021, at Park Place Assisted Living in Le Mars, IA.

 A visitation with the family present will be held from 5-7PM on Thursday, October 21, 2021, at the First Reformed Church in Sioux Center, IA.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10:30AM on Friday, October 22, 2021, at the First Reformed Church in Sioux Center, IA, with Reverend Mark Schwarz officiating.  Interment will follow the service in Memory Gardens Cemetery in Sioux Center, IA.  To view the Gerald Van Roekel Service please go to:https://vimeo.com/638702174

In lieu of flowers, the Van Roekel family request memorials be directed to Inspiration Hills Camp and Retreat Center.

Gerald Van Roekel was born March 5, 1934, to Neal and Dena (Sneller) Van Roekel at the family farm west of Sioux Center, IA. The family then moved east of Sioux Center, IA, where he attended country school at West Branch #6 and graduated from Sioux Center High School. 

On June 28, 1955, Gerald was joined in marriage to Darlene Doornink at First Reformed Church in Sioux Center, IA.   The couple lived on the family farm north of Carmel, IA, where he farmed until he moved to Sioux Center, IA. Gerald loved raising cattle and was passionate about farming the land.  He will always be remembered for his Allis- Chalmers tractor and the rides he gave and participating in tractor rides and parades.  Gerald was also an active member of Carmel Reformed Church for many years where he served as a deacon, elder, Sunday school and Catechism teacher. When they moved from the farm back to Sioux Center, IA, they became members of First Reformed Church

Singing was a joy of Gerald’s heart.  He spent many years singing in the Carmel Quartet and duets with Darlene and others, as well as singing skits.  He will always be remembered for his gift of singing “The Lord’s Prayer” at his children and grandchildren’s weddings and other special events.  

Being with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren brought joy to Gerald’s heart.  He always had a servant’s heart and often would help them and others with a project of any kind.  In addition, he along with his wife worked with SOWERS (Servants On Wheels Ever Ready) in Louisiana and Texas.  He was a people person and never met a stranger.

He is survived by his wife Darlene of LeMars, IA; five children: Debra (Merlin) Wynia of Luverne, MN, Jerry (Pam) Van Roekel of Rock Valley, IA, Shera (Bob) Pender of Marshall, MN, Brad (Beverly) Van Roekel of Sterling, VA, and Rachel (Jason) Schoenrock of Hinton, IA; 15 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; a sister and brother-in-law, Alvina (Don) Van Gorp of Montevideo, MN, and a number of nieces and nephews.

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, Neal and Dena Van Roekel; brother, Delmar Van Roekel (6 yrs old); sister and brother-in-law, Bernice and Jim Moss and infant great grandson, Ethan Brown.