Vanden Berg, Emma, (Mrs. Jack) 1921-2009

VANDENBERG, VANDERSPOEL, IKEMA

Posted By: Mary Lou Verburg Volunteer (email)
Date: 9/9/2014 at 21:56:05

Born: February 27, 1921 Hull, Iowa
Died: April 25, 2009 Sioux Center, Iowa

Emma Vanden Berg 88, Sioux Center, died Sat. April 25, at Royale Meadows Care Center in Sioux Center.

Services were Wed. April 29, at First Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Center, with the Rev. Mark Verbruggen officiating. Burial was at Hope Cemetery in Hull, under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in Sioux Center.

Emma Vanden Berg, the fifth child born to Theodore and Pearl (Ikema) Vander Spoel, was born Feb. 27, 1921 in Hull. She attended Hull Christian Grammar School and Western Christian Academy in Hull. She continued her education at Iowa State University in Ames and Westmar College in LeMars, working toward teaching credentials.

She taught all the grades in a country school in Alvord, and was the prinicipal of Doon Christian School. She married Jack Vanden Berg on June 5, 1946 and they farmed for a few years near Boyden. After their son, Douglas Dene was born, the family moved away from the farm and Jack began his career as an English teacher. During this time, Emma worked at several libraries in Iowa and Michigan. When they returned to Sioux Center, she worked for many years in the Dordt College library.

She was a member of First Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Center, where she was president of the Golden Hour Circle for several years. She also attended the Gleaners' Forum Society. She was a devoted Christian wife and mother who lovingly cared for her husband and son in times of illness.

Survivors include a son, Douglas Vanden Berg of Sioux Center; a sister, Cecelia De Stigter of Escondido, CA; a brother Arnold and Jackie Vander Spoel of Fort Meyers Beach FL; and a sister-in-law, Henrietta Brouwer of Hull.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Vanden Berg; a brother, Henry Vander Spoel, a sister, Magdalene Vander Spoel; two sisters-in-law, Coba and Art Vanden Brink and Gertrude and Al Van't Hul; a brother-in-law, Gilbert De Stigter; a nephew, Allen Jay Brouwer; and a niece, Mary Lou Buys.

Memorials may be directed to Dordt College in Sioux Center.

Source: Local paper after 4/25/2009