VANDYKE, Betty 1928-2000

VANDYKE, GARRETT, SONNENBERG

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 3/22/2017 at 18:05:59

Betty VanDyke, 71

Elizabeth Jean "Betty" Garrett Sonnenberg VanDyke, of Pella, passed away Thursday, Sept. 28, 2000, at the Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines of cancer at the age of 71 years, 11 months and 22 days.

Funeral services were held Monday, Oct. 2, 2000, at 10:30 a.m. in the Second Christian Reformed Church in Pella with Rev. William Zeilstra officiating. Casketbearers were her grandsons. Committal service was held at the Holland Cemetery at 3:30 with Rev. Larry Hoop presiding.

Elizabeth Jean Garrett was born in Texas on Oct. 6, 1928. "Betty", as she was known, grew up on a farm near Parkersburg with her uncle and aunt, the Louie DeGroots, while her mother was a nurse with the American Red Cross. She graduated from high school and after attending Central College in Pella she began teaching.

On July 26, 1949, she was united in marriage with Benjamin Sonnenberg in Parkersburg at the Christian Reformed Church. Following their marriage they began their home in Holland and to this union four children were born; David Benjamin, Mark Anthony, Shirley Jean and Sheila Jane. As a young father Benjamin became ill and Betty resumed her teaching. He passed away Sept. 3, 1960, and following his death the family moved to Pella where Betty taught at the Pella Christian Grade School. On April 4, 1968, Betty married Jake VanDyke. Jake had four children from a previous marriage; David, Dani, Linda and Randal. Betty retired in 1993 as a second grade school teacher at the Pella Christian Grade School.

Betty was a faithful member of the Second Christian Reformed Church. She had a heart for her children, students and missions in her church. She enjoyed cooking, gardening and making quilts for those that she loved.

Survivors include her four children; 11 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; four step-children; four step-granddaughters; one step-great-granddaughter; her twin sister, Katherine Algood of Volga, SD; 10 nieces and nephews and their families.

Preceding Betty in death were her husbands, Benjamin Sonnenberg and Jake VanDyke; and her parents.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 12 October 2000, pg 3