VanderKolk, Elizabeth (Mrs. Gerrit) 1931-2013

VANDERKOLK, JONGERIUS, WISSINK

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke-Volunteer
Date: 2/12/2014 at 22:25:53

Source: Doon Press (5-30-2013)

Born: September 8, 1931
Died: May 18, 2013

Elizabeth “Betty” Vander Kolk, age 81, of Doon, Iowa died on Saturday, May 18, 2013 at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Funeral services were held at the First Reformed Church in Doon with burial at Hillside Cemetery in Doon, Iowa.

Elizabeth Vander Kolk was born September 8, 1931 in Sioux Center, Iowa to Martin and Lillian (Jongerius) Wissink. As a young child she and her family moved to Rock Rapids. She was raised in Rock Rapids and graduated from Central Lyon High School. She and Gerrit Vander Kolk became acquainted while they were in high school and the relationship blossomed. They were joined in marriage on June 15, 1951. Just two months later Gerrit was inducted into the service and was sent to Korea where he served until 1954. Betty lived with her parents while he was gone. During the time Gerrit was serving in the military the first of their six children born. Upon his return the couple began farming in the area. Betty was always very active working alongside her husband in farming as well as driving truck. She had the will and spunk to go to school and learn to drive an 18 wheeler. People were often surprised when they learned this small frame lady could handle a semi-truck and trailer. Trucking as a team, Gerrit and Betty logged over 500’000 miles in their “Purple Pete”.

She is survived by her husband of nearly 62 years, Gerrit Vander Kolk; children, Craig (Linda) Vander Kolk of Naperville, Illinois; Terry (Sherry) Vander Kolk of Athol, Idaho; Kevin (Tammie) Vander Kolk of Dunlap, Iowa; Tami (Richard) De Penning of Johnston, Iowa; Keith (Tanya) Vander Kolk of Severna Park, MD; and Karla (Larry) Wieland of Granger, Iowa; 20 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and many other extended family members.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; 3 grandchildren, Mark Vander Kolk, Brock Vander Kolk, and Tracy Vander Kolk; and 2 brothers, Delmer Wissink and Melvin Wissink.