Van Gelder, Carol (Mrs. Gerrit John) 1934-2024

VANGELDER, RAAK, ZEVENBERGEN

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/11/2024 at 16:14:29

Mrs. Carol Van Gelder, age 89, of Orange City, passed away on Friday, September 6, 2024, at the Crown Pointe Estates in Sioux Center.

There will be a funeral service on Wednesday, September 11, at 10:00am, at the First Reformed Church Chapel in Orange City with the Rev. Mark Haverdink officiating. Refreshments and a time of visitation with the family will take place at the church following the interment at West Lawn Cemetery in Orange City. The Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City is in charge of arrangements.

A recording will be available following the service.

Carol Jean, the daughter of James and Gertrude (Raak) Zevenbergen, was born on December 16, 1934, on her family’s farm south of Orange City. She grew up in Orange City and on a farm near Maurice, where she attended Maurice Elementary School before graduating from the Orange City High School.

On March 16, 1956, she was united in marriage to Gerrit John Van Gelder in Orange City. Together they made their home on a farm north of Orange City. Carol worked for a few years at a local dentist’s office, until accepting a position with the Sioux County Department of Human Services, where she worked for more than 42 years. During her time there, she enrolled at Northwestern College, at the age of 50, and worked toward her degree in social work. Carol also served for many years on the board of Mid—Sioux Opportunity, Inc.

October 12, 1999, her husband, Gary, passed away after 43 years of marriage. Carol remained on the farm for several years until moving to a home in Orange City, where she lived until 2022, when she became a resident of Crown Pointe Estates.

Mrs. Van Gelder was a member of the First Reformed Church in Orange City, and she enjoyed participating in the church’s Blocks and Knots quilting group. She also liked to sew as well as collect antiques. All children were dear to her heart, and Carol enjoyed supporting any organization that helped them.

She is survived by a sister, Lois Stander, of Norwalk; numerous nieces and nephews; and her dear friends, the Kleinhesselink family members of Orange City.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Paul Stander; and Gary’s nine siblings.

Memorials will be given to the Sack Pack Program in Orange City.

Source: Oolman Funeral Home online obituary.