VanGronigen, Alberta Mrs. James C. 1936-2008

VANGRONIGEN, DETTERMAN, HUISMAN

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - Volunteer (email)
Date: 3/27/2012 at 08:30:24

Alberta VanGronigen
Date of Death: June 06,2008
Le Mars, Iowa
Alberta Marie VanGronigen, 72, of Le Mars went to be with her Lord on June 6, 2008 at 9:03 p.m. Her family and friends love her and will miss her. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 10, 2008
at the Presbyterian United Church of Christ in Le Mars with Reverend Jason Larson officiating. Interment will be in the Nassau Township Cemetery. Arrangements are with the Carlsen Funeral Home of Le Mars..
Alberta started her life in Alton, Iowa where she was born at home to Ike and Clara E. (Detterman) Huisman. Alberta attended and graduated from Alton High School. While in high school, she enjoyed playing the drums and worked at the OK Café. Following graduation she worked for F.M. Slagel Lumber Company in Alton as a receptionist. Alberta was united in marriage to James C. Van Gronigen on February 21,1956 in Alton, Iowa. Jim and Alberta moved to Kansas to start their new life where Jim joined the Army and they were stationed at Ozark, Alabama. While living in Kansas, Alberta and Jim were blessed with a son Gary Lee. After the untimely death of Gary, the couple was thrilled and overjoyed with the privilege of adopting and raising their daughter Carla. With Jim working for the Department of Defense many moves were in store for the couple. They had lived at Colorado Springs, Colorado; K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base, Michigan; Fort Walton Beach, Florida; Minot, North Dakota; Vincenza, Italy; Fort Carson, Colorado; and finally Rapid City, South Dakota. Le Mars, Iowa was the place of choice for Alberta and Jim as they began their retirement life. Alberta's love of numbers and Jim's love of repairing lawnmowers came together in their business, Jim's Fix It Shop in Le Mars. They operated the business in the warm months and enjoyed wintering in Texas. Breakfast, morning coffee, and just plain visiting with people about life is what helped to feed Alberta's compassion for people. She cared about what was in their hearts. Compassion is what led Alberta to volunteer for many charity events to help organizations such as hospitals, American Red Cross, and thrift shops. One of her greatest enjoyments was her children and grandchildren. She loved every minute they were alive and cherished every hug and kiss.
Survivors include her husband of 52 years, Jim of Le Mars; a daughter, Carla Nilson and her
husband Loren of Le Mars; a sister, Esther Ewoldt and her husband Burdette of Paullina, IA; a
brother, Roger Huisman and his wife Karen of Norfolk, Nebraska; 2 sisters-in-law, Audrey
Huisman of St. Ignace, MI., and Marlys Huisman of Sheldon, IA; a brother-in-law, Ted
Van Gronigen of Colorado Springs, CO; several aunts, cousins, nephews, and nieces.
Alberta was preceded in death by her parents, Ike and Clara E. (Detterman) Huisman; a son, Gary
Lee Van Gronigen at age 7 ½ ; 2 grandsons, Kyle Evan Nilson age 6 ½ and Kole Andrew Nilson
age 3 ½ ; and 2 brothers, David and Edward Huisman.
Source: Carlsen Funeral Home of Le Mars, IA., obit.