After declining health, LaDonna Rooda, 87, of Newton, passed away on Jan. 9, 2021, at Mercy Hospice in Johnston. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 15, at Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home in Pella. Masks and social distancing are required. Memorials may be given to Community Heights Alliance Church in Newton.
LaDonna Belle (Bieshaar) Rooda was born Feb. 5, 1933, at Pella. She was the oldest of three daughters born to Ernest W. and Luella (Beerends) Bieshaar. She attended school at Else Country Grade School and later graduated from Fremont High School in 1951. LaDonna then attended Central College in Pella. As a young lady, she moved to California with her grandparents for a few years. In 1956, she was united in marriage with Melvin T. Hartgers and to this union four sons were born: Kenneth Eugene, Michael Allen, Brian Dale, and Kevin Mark. She attended to the needs of her family on the farm. She later worked at Van’s TV, Lynnville-Sully School as a cook, and at Peck Daycare.
In 1990, she was united in marriage with Gerrit G. Rooda and spent 13 loving years together until his death in 2003. LaDonna later became a resident of the Nelson Manor in Newton in 2019.
LaDonna will be fondly remembered and missed by her large blended family: Ken (Linda) Hartgers of Kellogg, Mike Hartgers of Kellerton, Tina Holzworth of Colfax, Kevin (Teresa) Hartgers of Colfax, along with several grandchildren and great-grand-children. Of her late husband Gerrit’s family, she leaves two stepsons Gary and Grant Rooda and four stepdaughters Norma Whitehead, Gayla Van Soelen, Fonda Rucks, and Heidi Brand.
LaDonna is also survived by her two sisters Darlene Mae Veldhuizen of Oskaloosa and Esther Louise Stout of West Des Moines.
She was preceded in death by her son Brian Hartgers, husbands Melvin and Gerrit, grandson Michael Hartgers, and brother-in-law Melvin Veldhuizen.
LaDonna was baptized as a young child at Pella First Reformed Church, attended Sully First Reformed Church for many years, and was currently a member of Community Heights Alliance Church in Newton. LaDonna was a Christian and loved the Lord. Her family takes her faith that they will one day see each other again in Heaven. LaDonna was a kind and loving person.
