Van Roekel, Eugene, 1937-2016

VAN ROEKEL, BRINK, STALLBAUM

Posted By: Mary L Verburg Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:34

Eugene Van Roekel 79, of Harrison, AK. formerly of Maurice, IA. passed away unexpectedly Tues. Nov. 22, 2016 in his Arkansas home with his wife of 58 years by his side.
Eugene Elmer was born on March 16, 1937 in Orange City, IA. and was the only child of Elmer and Gertrude (Brink) Van Roekel. He graduated from Maurice High School in 1954 and Northwestern College in 1956. After graduating he spent two years working as a book keeper with Roggen and Ford in Orange City. On March 29, 1958 he married his high school sweetheart, Darlene Stallbaum, in the Maurice First Reformed Church. The couple moved to his home farm near Maurice, where he spent many years raising cattle and hogs and growing corn. Eugene always sought progressive methods of improving his farming business. He truly loved his daily interaction with the livestock and could always be found with his dogs by his side.
In 1990, Eugene and Darlene moved to Orange City and he spent 10 years working for Agri-Edge in Sioux Center and Kraai Furniture in Orange City. In 2001, the Van Roekels retired to their current home in Harrison, Arkansas. He was grateful to be able to entrust his land to the competent care of Mark, Rob and the late Bruce Kuiken. He looked forward to his regular trips to Iowa to survey the progress of their crops and spend time with friends and family. While living in Arkansas, he enjoyed traveling to bluegrass music festivals and spent many evenings running the sound system for local jam sessions while his wife sang, played mandolin and fiddled. As the Midwestern farmer, he was also the many many of his newfound Arkansas friend sought to care for their livestock when they were on vacation or fulfulling other obligations.
He dearly loved and is survived by his wife, Darlene Van Roekel, and his children Paulette (Giovanni) Romano, Steven (Melanie) Van Roekel, Shari (Gregg) Boone, Martin (Marianne) Van Roekel and Julie Krogman, along with sisters-in-law Phyllis (Peter) Van Peurssem and Marjorie (Dick) Reid, and seven nieces and nephews. He is also survived by the 17 grandchildren whom he adored. He was also blessed with two great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Gertrude Van Roekel; his parents in-law, Herman and Mary Stallbaum; and one nephew Michael Van Peursem.

Source: Northwest Iowa Review 12/31/2016