VANDEEST, Margaret 1920-2016

VANDEEST, SCHMIDT, MAMMEN

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 2/24/2019 at 17:38:16

Margaret Van Deest, 96, of Grundy Center, Iowa, passed away on September 28th, 2016. A funeral service will be held on Monday, October 3rd, 2016, at the Colfax Center Presbyterian Church, at 10:30 am. A public visitation will be held on Sunday, October 2nd, 2016, at the Engelkes Abels Funeral Home, from 4:00 until 7:00 pm. Memorial contributions can be made to the Colfax Center Presbyterian Church, or Parkview Manor in Reinbeck, Iowa. Engelkes-Abels Funeral Home is caring for Margaret and her family.

Margaret Theresa Schmidt was born to Renko and Henrietta (Mammen) Schmidt on March 1st, 1920, in rural Holland, Iowa. She was raised and educated in the area, attending Grundy Center High School and graduating with the class of 1937. Following her general education, Margaret obtained her teaching certificate and taught country school for several years. On November 8th, 1945, Margaret and Herbert Van Deest were united in marriage at the Colfax Center Presbyterian parsonage. Together, the two would begin farming near Eagle Center, then on a farm north of the Colfax Center Presbyterian Church. Margaret and Herbert lived several years in Conrad, before moving to the Van Deest family farm. In 1965, they settled just north of Grundy Center. Herbert and Margaret were not only partners in marriage, they were partners in life. Margaret lived to take care of her family and worked daily next to her husband. On January 11th, 2009, Herbert passed away. Margaret was a member of the Am. Vets Women's Auxiliary and a lifelong member of the Colfax Center Presbyterian Church. She loved visiting with family and friends, gardening, sewing and quilting.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Ruth Van Deest, Duane Van Deest, Sandra (Mike) Schmiesing; sister, Esther (Chris) Freese; brother, Carl Schmidt; grandchildren, Kristi (Doug) Miner, Traci (Sara) Van Deest, Jared Van Deest, Andrew (Amy) Schmiesing, Jacob (Annie) Schmiesing; great-grandchildren, Elizabeth Miner, Derek Miner, Alexa Miner, Maverick Miner, Jack Schmiesing.

In death, Margaret joins her parents, Renko and Henrietta (Mammen) Schmidt; husband, Herbert Van Deest; brother, Renko (Gertie); sisters, Anna (Henry) Werkman, Lucy (Henry) Abels, Martha, Irene, baby Helene and sister-in-law Leola Schmidt.

--Abels Funeral Homes (www.abelsfuneralhomes.com)