Nollen, Dorothy (Van Arsdale) 1907-2006

NOLLEN, VAN ARSDALE, PERRINE

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 11/6/2006 at 20:45:31

Dorothy Van Arsdale was born on Aug. 6, 1907, near Stronghurst, Ill. She was the second of four children that were born to Paul and Lettie Perrine Van Arsdale.

Dorothy grew up on the family farm 2 1/2 miles east of Raritan, Ill. She attended country school before taking two years of high school courses at Stronghurst. Dorothy continued her high school education at the Central Academy in Pella and later enrolled at Central College. She taught country school two miles southwest of Raritan for two years before finishing her courses to graduate from Central College in 1931.

While at Central College Dorothy met G. Marion Nollen and they married June 17, 1931, at her parent's home in Warren County, Ill.

They had four children: Walter Henry, Paul Marion, Lois Marie and John Lowell. Dorothy and her husband, Rev. Marion Nollen, took up residence at Lafayette, Ind., in 1931 where they ministered to the local Reformed Church. In 1944, the family experienced the tragic death of Lois in a drowning accident at the age of five. The family moved to Cambria, Wis., in 1945 where Rev. Nollen became pastor of the Presbyterian Church. They were serving this congregation when Rev. Nollen passed away very unexpectedly on April 10, 1958. His untimely death created whole new issues and challenges for Dorothy.

Dorothy began working at the Cambria Public Library in Cambria and in 1960 moved to Pella. She then took a position with the Pella Public Library where she continued to work until her retirement.

Dorothy continued to reside in Pella the remainder of her lifetime where she lived in her own home until becoming a resident at the Pella Regional Health Center in September 2000. Dorothy died in the Long Term Care Unit there on Thursday, July 6, one month prior to her 99th birthday.

She is survived by three sons and their wives: Walter H. and Peg (Reuter) Nollen of Fort Wayne, Ind.; Paul M. and Sheila (Hunt) Nollen of Macomb, Ill.; John L. and Betty (Fredrickson) Nollen of West Chester, Ohio; six grandchildren: Robert Nollen and Michelle Barron; Marie Powell and Nathan Nollen; Michael Nollen and Erica Nollen; along with four great-grandchildren: Ryan Nollen, Cody Barron, Isaac Nollen and Ava Nollen. Dorothy leaves her sister-in-law, Helen (James) Van Arsdale of Roseville, Illinois; along with a sister-in-law, Marie (Elmer) Nollen and a brother-in-law, Myron Nollen both of Pella.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Marion Nollen; her daughter, Lois Nollen; her parents, Paul and Lettie Van Arsdale; her older sister, Pauline Rankin; and her two younger brothers: James Bergen Van Arsdale and Clyde Perrine Van Arsdale.

Dorothy was a faithful member of the Second Reformed Church in Pella where she taught Sunday School and participated in the women's groups. She had been a longtime member of the Fortnightly Club and a book reading circle in Pella. She enjoyed reading; crocheting and doing handwork; and had been an avid gardener, raising vegetables and roses. For those desiring, memorials may be designated for the Second Reformed Church, 612 Broadway Street, Pella, Iowa 50219.

The Knoxville Journal Express, August 16, 2006