Van Ee, Ed

VAN EE, VAN GILST, VANDER MOLEN

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 7/21/2005 at 17:42:13

Funeral services for Mr. Ed Van Ee, 74, of Pella were held November 22 at the Second Christian Reformed Church in Pella, the Rev. William D. Zeilstra officiated. Music was provided by Mrs. Norma Kuiper, organist and Mrs. Darlys Savery, soloist.

Interment was at Oakwood Cemetery in Pella. Military honors by the Van Veen-Van Hemert American Legion Post No. 89 of Pella. Casket bearers were his "Sons and Grandchildren".

Edward Van Ee was born on July 11, 1928 at Otley, Iowa. He was the youngest of four children that were born to Gerrit and Frances Van Gilst Van Ee. Ed began his grade school education at the Otley Grade School in Otley and completed the 8th grade at the Pella Christian Grade School in Pella where his parents had later moved. As a young lad, Ed began working at the Pella Implement Store at Pella.

He was doing just that when he and Cathryn Vander Molen met at the Young People's Group at the Second Christian Reformed Church in Pella. On November 15, 1950 they were united in marriage at the home of her parents, Lewis and Katie Nieuwsma Vander Molen in Pella.

Very soon thereafter he was drafted into the U.S. Army on January 18, 1951. Ed served during the Korean War and was stationed in Chun-con, Korea when their first child, Elvon Glenn, was born on October 1, 1951. Elvon was 15 months old before Ed saw him for the first time following his discharge on January 20, 1953. Ed then returned to his employment at Pella Implement.

In 1956 Ed began his career as a self-employed livestock buyer. On January 18, 1956 their second son, Steven Eugene, was born and on June 3, 1960, Larry Dean was born. Their youngest and only daughter, Susan Kay was born on November 18, 1965. Ed enjoyed attending sales and was active as a buyer until 1992. He sold to Iowa Pack, the Swift Packing Company and Iowa Beef Packers. He continued selling cattle part-time throughout his retirement up until the time of his death.

Ed was baptized at the Otley Christian Reformed Church in Otley where he also made profession of his faith. Since living in Pella he had been an active, faithful member of the Second Christian Reformed Church where he served as a Deacon and an Elder. He had also served on the board of the Pella Christian Grade School in Pella.

He enjoyed golfing and fishing and was an avid Chicago Cubs and Iowa Hawkeye sports fan. He gained a large number of friends from all walks of life. Ed will always be remembered by his family for his strong faith in God and his positive attitude no matter what circumstances encountered during life.

On Tuesday morning, November 19, 2002 he passed away at his home in Pella following a three year bout with cancer. He attained the age of 74 years, four months and eight days.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Cathryn; their four children and their spouses: Elvon G. and Jan (Nanninga) Van Ee of Kill Devil Hills, N.C.; Steven E. and Cheryl (Wehlander) Van Ee of White Bear Lake, Minn.; Larry D. and Barbara (Buyert) Van Ee, and Susan K. and Brent Pierson, all of Pella; and seven grandchildren. Of his original family, Ed leaves his sister, Tanna (Henry) Brouwer of Winter Garden, Fla.; and two sisters-in-law: Margaret (William) Van Ee and Richarla (Bernard) Van Ee both of Pella.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Gerrit and Frances Van Ee; his two older brothers: William Van Ee and Bernard Van Ee; his brother-in-law, Henry Brouwer; and a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Greda (Vander Molen) and Paul Vander Hart.

Arrangements were handled by Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home in Pella.

Memorials may be made to the endowment funds of the Pella Christian Grade School or the Pella Christian High School in Pella.

The Pella Chronicle, December 2, 2002