Vander Meulen, Elma L. (Le Cocq)

VANDER MEULEN, LE COCQ, VANDE LUNE

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 7/21/2005 at 17:45:17

A Memorial Service for Elma L. Vander Meulen, 92, of Pella will be held July 20, at 3 p.m. at the Second Reformed Church in Pella with Revs. Steve and Sophie Mathonnet-Vander Well officiating. A Family Graveside Service was held on July 8, 2002 at the Oakwood Cemetery in Pella.

Elma Lucille Le Cocq was born on February 1, 1910 in Albany, Missouri, the youngest child of Charles and Sarah Vande Lune Le Cocq, but lived her entire life in Pella, Iowa.

She received her B.A. Degree in Mathematics from Central College in 1932.

On August 6, 1936 she was united in marriage with Dr. Herman Christian Vander Meulen. Elma provided loving support to Dr. Vander Meulen in setting up his medical practice in Pella. Elma and Herm were thankful for the blessing of raising four children: Marilla Claire, Nancy Kay, Connie May and David Lee. Elma and Dr. Vander Meulen shared a special honor together as "Mr. and Mrs. Alumni" of Central College for 1977. They were devoted to each other and shared nearly 50 wonderful years of marriage until he passed away on February 2, 1986.

Elma gave of her time generously for many projects involving the church, in addition to volunteering time at the Clothing Bank and participating in several charitable organizations. She had a real passion for learning, from history to gardening, a love for travel, and a deep commitment to and love for God and the work of her church, the Second Reformed Church. She devoted her greatest energy to her family. Elma gave her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren the gift of unconditional love and by example instilled in them a willingness to help their fellow man.

On Wednesday morning, July 3, 2002 Elma passed away in the Long Term Care Unit of the Pella Regional Health Center in Pella at the age of 92 years, 5 months and 2 days. This remarkable, resilient and loving woman died fighting the effects of congestive heart failure. She was a woman of strength and grace.

She is survived by her children: Marilla C. Barghusen and her husband, John, of Damascus, Maryland; Nancy K. Toffer and her husband, Hans, of Richland, Washington; and David L. Vander Meulen and his wife, Carol, of Arlington Heights, Illinois; also her older sister, Viola Potts of Eldon, Iowa; her brother-in-law, Franklin (Frances) Van Gorp of Pella; and sister-in-law, Bea (Louis) Le Cocq of Spencer.

Elma was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. H.C. Vander Meulen; her daughter, Connie M. Doyle, and her husband Richard Doyle; her parents: Charles and Sarah Le Cocq; her brother, Louis Le Cocq; and two sisters: Frances (Franklin) Van Gorp and Margaret Le Cocq.

Arrangements were handled by Van Dyk - Duven Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to Central College in Pella.

The Pella Chronicle, July 19, 2002