Van Dusseldorp, Gilbert 1919-2006

VAN DUSSELDORP, VELDHUIZEN, RIETVELD

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 7/29/2006 at 20:56:14

Gilbert S. Van Dusseldorp, age 86, of Oskaloosa passed away early Friday morning, March 17, 2006 at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House.

Funeral Services were held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday morning, March 21 at the First Christian Church with Rev. Michael Crouch officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery near Leighton. Memorials may be given to Hospice of Pella Comfort House.

Gilbert Simon Van Dusseldorp, son of Gysbert and Johanna Veldhuizen Van Dusseldorp, was born September 7, 1919 in rural Pella. Gilbert attended country school near Pella and then worked the family farm until he was drafted into the U.S. Army.

He entered the service on July 25, 1941, and served until September 26, 1945. While serving in WWII, he was active in campaigns in Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe. Following his discharge he returned to the Pella area where he married the love of his life, LaVerne Ruth Rietveld.

Gilbert and LaVerne began their life together on a farm near Pella; they also lived near Monroe, Oskaloosa and Rose Hill and he owned and farmed land near New Sharon as well. Over the course of their married life, Gilbert farmed, drove a truck, and owned and operated sand and gravel pits. Gilbert believed that as a farmer, he was a steward of the land; he operated a bulldozer creating contours to prevent erosion. Gilbert learned to weld before he went to the service, and utilized the skill in the military as well. Maintenance and repair of his machinery throughout his life was very important to Gilbert, and over the years he became an excellent welder.

In 1999 Gilbert retired, and he and LaVerne moved into Oskaloosa. Poor health required his admittance to the Pella Regional Health Center Long Term Care Unit on Dec. 27, 2005; on March 15, 2006, he was moved to the Hospice of Pella Comfort House and passed away at 5:15 a.m. on March 17, 2006, at the age of 86.

He was a member of the American Legion Post #34.

Gilbert's family includes his wife, LaVerne of Oskaloosa; two daughters: Connie Burke of Oskaloosa and Sandra Vos of Litchfield Park, AZ; four granddaughters: Kelli Vos (Ken Bishop) and Michelle Salas, both of Litchfield Park, AZ; Stacey (John) Bone of Pella and Heather (Travis) Stout of Oskaloosa. He was blessed with 7 great grandchildren: Zachary Robbins, Schuyler Seper, Payton & Austin Bone, Karic, Sierra and Autumn Stout. He is survived by a sister, Elsie Menning of Pella.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Margaret Den Ouden and one brother, Jacob Van Dusseldorp.

The Pella Chronicle, March 31, 2006