Van Gilst, Vera V. (Welch) 1916-2006

VAN GILST, WELCH, SMITH

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 4/18/2006 at 21:22:35

Vera V. Van Gilst, 89, of Park Centre died Monday, April 3, 2006, in Newton.

A funeral service will be Thursday at 3 p.m. at Pence-Reese Funeral Home in Newton with the Rev. James Stiles, pastor of First United Methodist Church in Mason City, officiating. Burial will be at Mt. Zion Cemetery in rural Newton.

Visitation will be after 9 a.m. today at the funeral home, where the family will be present from 6 to 8 p.m. The family also will be available from 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday prior to the service at the funeral home. Memorials will be accepted to Park Centre, Killduff United Methodist Church or Kellogg Garden Club.

The daughter of James Albert and Myrtle Mary Smith Welch, she was born Aug. 4, 1916, in rural Knoxville. She graduated from Knoxville High School in 1935 and taught rural school in Marion County. On June 8, 1939, she married James Clair Van Gilst in Knoxville Christian Church. She was a homemaker, a member of Killduff United Methodist Church and was active in various church groups. She was a past worthy matron of the Order of Easter Star, a member of White Shrine, Kellogg Garden Club and a 4-H club leader.

Mrs. Van Gilst enjoyed spending time at a cabin in Arkansas, gardening, arranging flowers, hunting, fishing and traveling.

She is survived by a son, Gary (Karen) Van Gilst of Newton; a daughter, Serana Means of Newton; four grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; three brothers, Wyatt Welch, Myron Welch and Howard Welch; and one sister, Thelma Welch.

The Newton Daily News, April 5, 2006