VanEk, Gertrude, 1892-1944

VANEK

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 9/6/2012 at 06:05:07

Gertrude Van Ek Dies At Sister's Home Here

Miss Gertrude Van Ek passed away at the home of her sister, Mrs. Jake Van Steenwyk, on Saturday morning, Nov. 18 at the age of 52 years. She had been ill at the Van Steenwyk home for the past year due to heart trouble.

She is survived by her father Mr. Andrew Van Ek of the Sheldon Holland home and her sister Mrs. Jake Van Steenwyk, and also two brothers, Jake Van Ek, Professor at Boulder University, Boulder, Col., and Clarence Van Ek of Minneapolis, Minn. Her mother and two sisters, Kate and Martha, preceded her in death.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 21, 1944 at one o'clock at the Van Steenwyk home and at 1:30 at the Central Ref. Church with Rev. Raymond Meengs officiating. Special music will be provided by Mrs. James Wandscheer and Mrs. Gary Boeyink who will sing "I know Whom I have Believed" and "Pardoning Grace." Burial will take place at the local cemetery and pallbearers will be Elmer Straatsma, Geo. De Ruyter, Louis Boeyink, Allan Muilenburg, James Wandscheer and John Bierma.

Miss Van Ek was born at Orange City on Jan. 29, 1892 and after graduation she devoted her life to nursing, spending many years as a nurse at the Bethesda Sanatorium at Denver, Colo.

Source: Sioux Center News, November 23, 1944.

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Similar bituaries were also published in the Sioux County Index (Nov. 30) and the Sioux County Capital (Nov. 30).

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OBITUARY--IN MEMORY OF GERTRUDE VAN EK

Gertrude Van Ek was born at Orange City, Iowa on the twenty-ninth of January, 1892, and entered into her rest on the eighteenth of November, 1944, at the age of fifty-two. Her life was not long in terms of years, but it was golden in terms of a beautiful and faithful service in that place which it was hers to fill. Gertrude overcame the illness of her early years, and then nobly dedicated herself to ministering to others who were ill. She spent seven years as a nurse at the State Sanatorium at Oakdale, Iowa, and for fourteen years served those in the Bethesda Sanatorium at Denver, Colo., until in the spring of 1943 she was compelled to lay down her work because of failing health. She made her home in Sioux Center with her sister, Mrs. J. W. Van Steenwyk, with whom she spent her last days.

Gertrude loved her work and those whom she might serve. Her joy was in ministering to others, for whom she spent her all in a self-denying devotion, a devotion which did not cease even when she was forced to leave the work which was dear to her and when she herself was confined to her sick bed. She was a wonderful spiritual worker among the patients for whom she in tenderness provided, honoring through all her days her personal love for her Savior, whom she served from the days of her youth. She was an angel of mercy, ministering not only to the needs of broken bodies but also to the souls in need of reassurance and consolation. She passed away in the same serene and beautiful assurance in which she always lived. Life to her was a privilege. Death to her was gain and glory.

She is survived by her father, Andrew Van Ek of Sheldon; two brothers, Jacob of Boulder, Colo., and Clarence of Minneapolis, Minn.; and one sister, Ida (Mrs. Van Steenwyk) of Sioux Center. Her mother and two sisters preceded her in death. Gertrude will be missed by all who knew her and all to whom she endeared herself by her unselfish devotion and the many loving kindnesses which brought sunshine and peace to troubled souls. Our comfort is that in life and in death she belonged to her faithful Savior Jesus Christ.

Source: Sioux Center News, December 7, 1944.