Geels, Mrs. John (Betty) - 1905-1998

GEELS, KEMPERS

Posted By: Linda Vander Linden - Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/4/2010 at 14:48:03

Betty Geels, 92, of Pella, died May 30 at the Pella Regional Health Center.

Services were June 3 at Faith Christian Reformed Church in Pella with the Rev. Isaac Menzelaar, the Rev. Kenneth Schepel and the Rev. Tom Nikkel officiating. Burial was at Oakwood Cemetery, Pella, Iowa.

Mrs. Geels was born October 21, 1905, near Sioux Center, the daughter of Barney and Lillian (Roozenboom) Kempers. She graduated from Western Christian High School in Hull and from Grundy Center Junior College in Grundy Center with a degree in elementary education. She taught fourth grade for three years at West Side Christian School in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She married John Geels at Sioux Center July 25, 1929. To this union six children were born while pastoring in the Beaverdam, Michigan, Christian Reformed Church. Later they served Christian Reformed churches in Sully; Bozeman, Montana; and Alto, Wisconsin. Retiring in 1969 they moved to Pella. He died January 25, 1979. She moved to Hilltop Manor North in the fall of 1991.

She was a member of Faith Christian Reformed Church in Pella. She enjoyed knitting, reading and playing the piano. She also enjoyed growing and arranging flowers, organizing church libraries and observing the birds and all the wonders of God's creation. Her quiet faith exemplified her trust in God's grace and faithfulness.

Survivors include her six children and their spouses: Nelson and Doris Geels of Sully, Lillian and William Nikkel of Pella, Chester and Gretta Geels of Brookfield, Wisconsin, Barbara and Stanley Cole of Whittier, California, Betty and Lee Le Febre of Denver, Colorado, and John and Linda Geels of Denver, Colorado; 28 grandchildren; 60 great-grandchildren; three sisters-in-law, Laura Kempers of Sarasota, Florida, Ann Kempers of Sioux Center and Sadie Geels of Sheldon.

She was also preceded in death by her parents and seven siblings, Dena Broek, Minnie Buyert, Johanna Wyngaarden, Garrett Kempers, Allie Holleman, John Kempers and Albert Kempers.

Sioux Center News, June 9, 1998