Van Beek, Andrea 1952-2017

VANBEEK, ROZEBOOM

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 3/20/2017 at 09:40:37

Miss Andrea Van Beek, age 64, of Orange City, passed away on Sunday, March 12, 2017, at her residence.

There was a private graveside service on Thursday, March 16, at the Valley View Cemetery in Rock Valley. The Rev. Dale Assink officiated. There will be a private celebration of her life at a later date. Arrangements are with the Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City.

Andrea was born on May 21, 1952, at Rock Valley, the daughter of George H. and Anna Marie (Rozeboom) Van Beek. In 1974, she graduated Summa Cum Laude from the Northwestern College in Orange City and with honors from the University of Iowa Law School in Iowa City in 1977. She made her home in Orange City, where she established trust departments in several area banks and practiced law for thirty years, often doing pro bono work for clients who could not afford to pay for legal services.

She came to know Arie Brouwer, from the Reformed Church in America, while a college student and upon graduation from law school became a member of the General Synod Commission on the Book of Church Order. She served four terms on the commission and was the youngest and first woman moderator of a General Synod Commission. She was also a delegate to many General Synod meetings. In addition, Andrea served on the Special Committee to rewrite the Discipline Section of the Book of Church Order, the General Program Council, the General Synod Council, the Peacemaking Investment Panel, the Board of Directors of the Extension Foundation, the Search Committee for the General Secretary in 1992, and on the Executive Committee and as Treasurer for Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan. She was also a member of the Board of Trustees of the New Brunswick Theological Seminary in New Brunswick, New Jersey, a member of the Board of Trustees and the executive committee of Northwestern College, and chairperson of Northwestern’s $9.8 by 98 Fundraising Committee.

Andrea also served on the boards of directors of the Northwest Iowa Symphony, the Orange City Arts Council, also serving as treasurer, the Sioux County Artists Association, and the Northwestern College Theater Patrons. She also served on the boards of directors of the Orange City Area Health Center Foundation for three years and Bethesda Midwest of Orange City. She and Katie Hansen formally organized and wrote the Articles of Incorporation and By-laws for the original Orange City Daycare.

She was an active member of the Republican Party and was a delegate to the 1984 and 1988 national conventions. She was a member of the Sioux County Republican Central Committee for many years, including being the county vice-chairperson and chairperson and a member of the state central committee. Because of her early and loyal support of George H.W. Bush for president, beginning in 1977, she was selected to represent the American Council of Young Political Leaders and went on a four week exchange visit with the Republic of China and Taiwan in 1986. From 1990 to 1992, Andrea served on the board of directors of the Small Business Administration.

Andrea adored her parents and took several trips with them to visit relatives in Kansas City, Kansas, and Bella Vista, Arkansas. They also traveled to the north rim of the Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion National Parks, the Alamo, several places in California and Idaho, the battle of Little Big Horn, the Black Hills, Alaska, New York City, Washington D.C., and many other enjoyable places.

She also was an organist, pianist, and accompanist in local area churches for 47 years, including 25 years at the First Reformed Church in Orange City.

She is survived by her cousin, Candy, and her husband Timothy Piester, of Falmouth, Virginia; her friends, Rhonda, and her husband, Keith Wily, of Fort Dodge; Dale Assink, and his wife, Dawn, of Omaha, Nebraska; and Marilyn Jiskoot, of Orange City; an aunt, Verna Miller, of Kansas City, Kansas; a brother; nieces and nephews; cousins; aunts; and other very, very, dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her mother, in 2006; her father, in 2008; her brother, Kelvin, in 1951; and her brother Dr. G. Richard Van Beek, in 1994.

Source: Oolman Funeral Home online obituary.