Marcella Laverman, 85, of Pella and formerly of Sully, died Nov. 26, 2020. Memorials have been designated for Bethel Mission - Des Moines and Pella Pro-Life, P.O. Box 232, Pella IA 50219, pellaprolife.com. Graveside service was held at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 28, at Sully Cemetery. The service was livestreamed from the Garden Chapel Funeral Home Facebook Live page where it is still available for viewing. In light of the recent virus circumstances, the family would love to have you reach out to them whenever you feel comfortable. Thank you for your understanding.
Marcella Ann Nikkel was born Nov. 11, 1935, near Sully. She was the ninth of ten brothers and sisters. She grew up on the farm and helped bake pies for a big family. She met Lester, her future husband, while attending a small one-room school-house. Les always liked to tell the story of winking at her across the room and getting in trouble with the school teacher. Marcella and Les got married in 1952 at the age 17 and 19, starting out life on the farm and then later moving to town. They opened a café and spent many nights with friends making music there after hours. Marcella was known for her gift of being able to play the piano by ear.
After a couple of years and the birth of two sons, they sold the café and Les went to work as a carpenter. Marcella became busy raising four children at home: Lee, Marlon, Alicia, and Melissa. She was a busy member of Sully Christian Reformed Church, helping in many different ways through the years. She led women’s Bible study groups and headed up a quilting ministry. She and Les made many trips to Des Moines to bring quilts to people who really needed them.
Marcella loved painting, drawing, and teaching art at the Sully Christian School. She often spent time both painting and writing, two of her favorite things.
Marcella had a real gift of hospitality, always ready for drop-in guests with a cup of coffee and free baked goodies. Their door was always open. She lived her faith as an amazing example of patience, kindness, encouragement, and a loving attitude. She and Lester liked to say that even after 60 years of marriage, they had yet to have a fight.
Marcella will be missed by her family, three remaining children Lee (Ruth) Laverman of Sully, Alicia (Kevin) Roozeboom of Pella, and Melissa Laverman of Oskaloosa; five grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren, her sister and brother-in-law Linda and Maurice Rozendaal of Lynnville and her sister-in-law Henrietta Laverman of Pella. Those who preceded her in death were her husband Lester and her son Marlon.
