Lena (Arends) VANDUSSELDORP

VANDUSSELDORP, ARENDS, BODE, TUCKER, BENSON, ROTH, JAMES, PHIPPS, BOWERS, MORA, LUTHER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/15/2008 at 17:39:52

August 6, 2002
Belmond Independent, IA

Lena VanDusseldorp, 85, died July 30, 2002. Funeral services were held Friday, August 2, 2002 at the United Methodist Church, Thornton, with Gerald "Red" Haugland officiating. Burial was in the Pleasant View Cemetery, Thornton. Music was provided by JoAnn Skyrme, pianist, and Terry Long, vocalist. Casketbearers were: Dan Bowers, Roy Arends, Kenny Pogge, Adam VanDusseldorp, Lee Aldrich, Troy Bowers, Dale Arends and Lyle Ziegler.

Lena was born 2-1/2 miles west of Alexander on August 12, 1916, the daughter of John Casper "J.C." and Anna (Bode) Arends. She was baptized in Kanawha by her grandfather, Rev. C.J. Bode. Lena graduated from Alexander High School and went on to attend Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls. On July 14, 1938, Lena married Leonard VanDusseldorp at Bethany, MO. To this union four children were born: Lola, Lana, Lew and Leslie. The family made their home south of Thornton for 20 years. During this time, Leonard farmed and Lena taught at various neighboring schools. Lena was also active in the United Methodist Church in Thornton. She enjoyed a life long passion of writing poetry. One of her greatest joys was her weekly column in the Southern County Newspaper. In 1963, Lena, Leonard and Lew moved to Las Vegas, NV, where Lena taught kindergarten for 20 years. During this time, she earned her masters degree at the University of Nevada.

In 1983, Lena retired from the Nevada school system. She and Leonard returned to Iowa, where Leonard passed away in 1986. Lena then taught adult writing classes in Thornton, Belmond and Hampton. She thoroughly enjoyed her students and will be remembered for her love of poetry, flair for bright colors--especially red, and cheerful disposition.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Leonard in 1986; infant son, Leslie; daughter, Lola in 1980; grandson, Troy in 1989; sisters, Edna Tucker and Hazel Benson; brothers, Orville Arends, Henry Arends, Richard Arends, and infant brother, Johnny; sister-in-law Marion "Marney" Arends-wife of Henry; and granddaughter-in-law, Candy Roth in 2001-wife of Earl Roth. Survivors include her daughter, Lana (Laura) James of Thornton, IA; son, Lew VanDusseldorp and his wife, Peggy of Iola, TX; eight grandchildren, Corwin Phipps, Donna Bowers, Earl Roth, Gina Roth, Adam, Amanda, Alex and Austin VanDusseldorp; six great-grandchildren, Julian "Mike" Mora, Troy Bowers, Cody Phipps, Clinton Phipps, Jennifer Luther, and Chelsea Roth; two sisters-in-law, Pauline Arends of Alexander, and Jennie Arends of Kanawha; and many nieces, nephews and friends.