On Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016, Gertrude J. Van Soelen, 83, of Lynnville, passed into Glory while being cared for at the Grinnell Health Care Center. Funeral services were held Monday, Feb. 1, at Sully Christian Reformed Church. Interment was in Sully Cemetery. Memorial contributions are preferred for the Sully Christian School.
Gertrude Junella Van Soelen was born Dec. 1, 1932, on a country farmstead between Killduff and Sully. She was the fourth of 10 born to Marion and Hattie (Van Hal) Van Soelen. Gertrude attended Sully Christian School and graduated from Pella Christian High School with the Class of 1951.
Following her graduation, she immediately began her working career as a human resources person. Her first employment was at the Parsons Division of the Koehring Company in Newton. Due to plant closings, acquisitions, and transfers, she also worked at the farm division in Ankeny and the Fox Farm Division in Appleton, WI. Subsequently, she was transferred to the Koehring Corporate Office in Milwaukee, WI. While working full-time at the corporate office, she enrolled at Alverno College in Milwaukee and received her bachelor of arts degree in business administration. Her last transfer was to the Koehring Division in Waverly, later known as the Waverly Division of the Terex Corporation. Her entire working career spanned 50 years, and she truly cherished her position as she assisted employees and retirees with their problems and concerns.
Gertrude made many special friends while living in Milwaukee, WI, Waverly/Cedar Falls, Newton, Sully, and Lynnville. She cherished the friends she made in the various places where she lived and worked. Their friendship made her life enjoyable and happy. Gertrude enjoyed traveling and viewed this as a great learning experience about God’s beautiful and interesting world, and she marveled at His great creation.
Gertrude is survived by the following loving brothers and sisters and their spouses: Peter C. Van Soelen of Killduff, Cornelius R. Van Soelen of Pella, Martha L. (Alfred) Weg of Mitchell, SD, Henrietta A. Terpstra of Sully, Marion D. (Jan) Van Soelen of Hull, Francis C. (Karen) Van Soelen of Sully, Robert E. (Marilyn) Van Soelen of Lynnville, and Betty J. Nikkel of Laurel. Also surviving are 30 nieces and nephews and their spouses, many grand-nieces, grand-nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, all of whom were considered her “kids.”
Gertrude was preceded in death by her loving parents; her loving sister, Jennie, and her husband, William Branderhorst; the following loving in-laws: Gladys Van Soelen, Leona Van Soelen, Alfred Weg, Harlan Terpstra, and Clarence Nikkel; a loving nephew, Jeff Van Soelen; and a loving great-nephew, Christian Van Soelen.
Gertrude was a member of the Sully Christian Reformed Church in Sully. A true enjoyment for her was studying the scriptures with women of the faith in the Ladies Ruth Circle and the Bible study group Share Your Faith. Thanks to the Lord for soul friends and her life of 83 years, one month, and 27 days.
