Wilnora "Carole" Van Riessen

     Carole Van Riessen age 81 of Sioux Center was welcomed into the arms of her Heavenly Father on Monday, February 17, 2020 at her residence in Sioux Center, IA.

     A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 22, 2020 at the First Reformed Church of Sioux Center with Rev. Travis Else and Rev. Debra Rensink officiating. Interment will follow the service in Memory Gardens in Sioux Center.

     A visitation will be held Saturday morning from 9:00 a.m. to the time of service at 11:00 a.m. at the First Reformed Church of Sioux Center.

     The Van Riessen family prefer memorials be directed to Sioux Center Hospice, The American Cancer Society or First Reformed Church Women’s Ministry.

     Wilnora Carole Van Riessen was born on Oct 2. 1938, to Fred and Mabel (Van Marel) Cleveringa in Sioux Center Iowa. She attended grade school at Sioux Center Christian School and graduated from Sioux Center high School in 1956. She was a lifelong member of First Reformed Church of Sioux Center.

     On April 17th, 1957, she was joined in marriage to John Van Riessen at the family farm. After they married, they lived in Sioux Center. In 1968, Carole's parents built a house in Sioux Center and John and Carole moved out to the family farm. John worked for Wells Blue Bunny hauling milk. John was killed in a tractor roll-over accident northeast of Sioux Center on September 5, 1997. Carole then moved in with her father and took care of him until his death in 2000. In 2001, Carole moved to town where she had her condo built. Carole worked various jobs including K-Products, Groschopp and most recently Schouten Plumbing and Heating.

   She had various hobbies which included 500 card club for over 25 years, Bridge group, attending grandchildren activities, including ball games and show choir concerts. She especially enjoyed traveling with her Sioux Center daughter Terri Mouw to Colorado, Branson MO, Texas, Kentucky, going to the lake in Minnesota and traveling to see grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was an encouragement to so many as she prayed and mentored those who God laid on her heart to challenge them to rely on scripture and God for what they needed and walked along side many who were less fortunate and no matter who you were or the circumstance you faced, she always was open to praying and challenging them to memorize one of her favorite verses which was Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me."

   She retired in Jan 2018. In Feb 2018, she had four heart attacks which required two surgeries and in May 2018, she was diagnosed with cancer. She continued to fight going thru chemo and radiation treatment. In July of 2019, she chose to discontinue treatment and enter hospice care. She was able to attend granddaughter's wedding July 2019 and continued to travel until health declined in January 2020. She was taken care of in her home until her death.  

     She is survived by her 3 children: Verl Van Riessen of Cape Coral, FL, and his son: Chad (Brandy) and their 3 children, Madison, Carli and Paxton, and daughter: Candi (John) Newbury and their children, Alaina and Lexi; Mark (Susan) Van Riessen of Urbandale, IA and their daughter: Jennifer (Shawn) Van Bruggen and their son, Michael; Karen (Andy) Long of Johnston, IA and their children: Samantha and Eric; Sioux Center daughter, Terri Mouw of Sioux Center, IA; sister, Kathy McKinstrey of Orange City, IA, nieces, nephews and extended family members.

     She is preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Mabel Cleveringa; husband, John Van Riessen, sister, Aldeane Williams, brother-in-law, Gordon McKinstrey and great grandson, Brody Michael Van Riessen.