Van Wechel, Helen 1904-2000

VAN WECHEL, MUILENBURG, POSTMA, LINDQUIST

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 9/27/2016 at 14:12:19

The Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register
Aug. 14, 2000

HELEN VAN WECHEL

Helen Van Wechel, 96, of the Mayflower, died of a heart ailment Sunday, Aug. 6, at the Mayflower Health Care Center.

A memorial service was conducted Saturday in the Carman Center of the Mayflower, with the Rev. Robert Molsberry, pastor of the United Church of Christ-Congregational, officiating. Organist was Alice Renaud, and vocalist was Bill Surbrug. Burial was in Orange City Cemetery, with the Smith Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

She was the daughter of Allen and Wilhelmina Muilenburg Van Wechel and was born June 15, 1904, in Maurice, Iowa. The family moved to Orange City in 1914, and she was a 1921 graduate of Orange City High School. She then taught in rural schools near Maurice.

She attended Northwestern College in Orange City and graduated from the University of Iowa. She taught in public schools in Monroe, Hartley and Waterloo. In 1959, she received a master's degree in library science from the University of Denver. She returned to Orange City and was a teacher and librarian at Northwestern College until her retirement in 1969.

She moved to Grinnell in 1970 and had been a resident of the Mayflower for many years.

She was a member of the American Reformed Church while living in Orange City and, in Grinnell, the United Church of Christ-Congregational. She was also a member of Delta Kappa Gamma.

Surviving is a sister, Geraldine Postma of Grinnell. She was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Mildred Lindquist; and six brothers, Clarence, Raymond, Kenneth, Melvin, Verlyn and Lloyd Van Wechel.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Mayflower Human Needs Fund and sent in care of the Smith Funeral Home.