Marlene Timmer

 Marlene Timmer, age 87, of Sioux Center, Iowa, died Thursday, September 26, 2024, at the Crown Pointe Estates in Sioux Center. 

 A family prayer service will be held at 9:30AM, Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at Centerpoint Church. Interment will follow in Memory Gardens Cemetery in Sioux Center. Link to Marlene's Funeral Service: Marlene Timmer Service

 A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, at Centerpoint Church in Sioux Center, with Reverend Stephen Breen officiating. 

 A visitation will be held from 5-7p.m. Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center. 

The Timmer family prefers memorial be directed to Sioux Center Health Hospice. 

  Marlene Timmer was born February 9, 1937, near Rock Valley, Iowa, the daughter of William and Nellie (Verberg) Van Wyhe. She was raised on the Van Wyhe family farm and attended Perkins school through fourth grade, before attending Hull Christian School through the 8th grade. She graduated from Western Christian High School in 1954. After high school she worked at Sioux County Index. 

 Marlene married the love of her life, Jasper “Jack” Timmer on June 22, 1956, at First Christian Reformed Church in Hull, Iowa. Following their marriage, they made their home on the Timmer farm Northwest of Sioux Center for nearly 60 years. They were blessed with five children. Between farming and raising a family, Jack and Marlene spent quite a few nights a week at area softball diamonds as Jack played fast pitch softball. Beginning in the 70’s Jack and Marlene spent countless hours attending their children’s and grandchildren’s sports and music activities. Early in the 80’s, Timmer Gardens began.

 Along with flower gardening, Marlene enjoyed raising a vegetable garden and loved canning and freezing the bounty as well as cooking and baking. Besides being a busy mother and homemaker, she was involved with various church activities at Sioux Center First Reformed Church. Marlene and Jack were youth leaders for many years and mentors for ATLAS. Marlene was active in circle Bible study. She also was on the flower committee for worship services and the centennial celebration. She conducted flower garden classes for Northwest Iowa Community College for several years and welcomed tour groups to her garden. 

 Marlene and Jack seldom missed dates at the area gyms, cross country, track and field, football and softball and baseball facilities. When their five children moved to college, the grandchildren began to participate. All sixteen attended Sioux Center schools and became Warriors. Jack and Marlene were honored as Sioux Center Warriors fans of the year 1985-86. They regularly attended the Drake Relays for many years. They were fans of Northwestern College sports, especially while their children and grandchildren participated. She continued to cheer for Northwestern, Iowa Hawkeyes, Minnesota Twins, and Chicago Cubs.

 After Jack’s retirement, they never desired to spend the winter in warmer climates, not wanting to miss out on many basketball games. They did enjoy special times traveling to various destinations with Extra Touch Tours. For numerous summers they selected a long weekend each August at Oak Grove Park renting the cabins, hiking, fishing, canoeing, swimming, and spending special times with their family. Jack and Marlene enjoyed great weekends attending Life Light on Labor Day weekends. 

 On April 21, 2016, Jack passed away unexpectedly in their garden. After that final year of tending her garden, Marlene moved to Sioux Center. Marlene continued to start seeds and garden on a limited basis. She experienced and witnessed – and spoke often - of God’s grace and faithfulness to her throughout her life.

 Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Jeff (Mary) Timmer of Sioux Center, IA, Randy (Lisa) Timmer of Sioux Center, IA, Teri (Gary) Dolieslager of Sioux Center, IA, Rev. Rick (Julie) Timmer of Sioux Falls, SD, and Lori (Dan) Zomermaand of Sioux Center, IA; sixteen grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; siblings, Kervin (Fran) Van Wyhe, Willie (Bev) Van Wyhe, Art (Joanne) Van Wyhe, Jan (Gary) Bomgaars, Daryl (Marvella) Van Wyhe; in-laws, Delores (Leonard) Leenderts, George Hedges, Marj (Dave) Steffens, and Linda Clousing; along with numerous nieces and nephews; and extended family and friends. 

 She was preceded in death by her parents; husband of nearly 60 years, Jasper “Jack” Timmer; in-laws, Al (Pearl) Timmer, Thelma Hedges, and Gerald Vande Kamp.