Van Der Beek, Ralph A.

VAN DER BEEK, CHERRY, TOOM

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 7/18/2005 at 20:56:52

Funeral services for Ralph A. Van Der Beek, 79, of Johnston were held January 20, at the First Baptist Church of Des Moines, the Rev. Duane Gibson officiated. Music was provided by Ben and Wanda Holthaus.

Interment was at the Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery in Des Moines with Military honors provided by Bondurant American Legion Post #396.

Ralph Van Der Beek was born May 4, 1923 at Pella to A.T. and Cecyle (Cherry) Van Der Beek. He grew up in Pella and graduated from Pella High School in 1941.

While living in Pella he was a member of the Baptist Church.

He married Helen Toom on June 12, 1946 in Pella and to this union five children were born.

He was a graduate of DuVrey Institute of Chicago and AIB in Des Moines. He was an Army Air Forces and Army veteran of World War II, when he was awarded a Bronze Star in the ETO.

He also served in the Iowa National Guard and on the Polk County water district board. He had been a volunteer with the Salvation Army. Ralph worked for Firestone Tire and Rubber Company in Des Moines as a supervisor for 34 1/2 years.

He was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Des Moines and was interested in golfing, bowling, and loved his grandchildren.

He passed away January 17, 2003, at the Bishop Drumm Care Center.

He is survived by his wife, Helen; a son, Bruce of Des Moines; four daughters: Barbara McClung of Hanlantown, Suzan Bedsaul of Omaha, Ruth Strunk of Des Moines, and Joyce Kopecky of Ankeny; and nine grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother and sister.

Arrangements were handled by Hamilton's Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to his church, North Senior Citizens Center of Des Moines, or Bishop Drumm Foundation.

The Pella Chronicle, January 31, 2003