Ralph Van Soelen, 92, died Wednesday, Mar. 3, 2021, at MercyOne Medical Center in Des Moines.
A Facebook broadcast of Ralph’s service was at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Mar. 9, on the Pence Reese Funeral Home and Cremation Services Facebook page. Memorials may be designated in Ralph’s name to the Newton Christian Reformed Church and may be left at the funeral home.
Ralph Van Soelen, the son of Cornelius and Durkie (Rolffs) Van Soelen, was born Sept. 30, 1928, near Sully. He grew up assisting his family on the farm.
Mar. 2, 1956, Ralph was united in marriage with Bernice Veenstra at the Peoria Christian Reformed Church. Ralph loved farming and working the land. When he was not farming, Ralph enjoyed his time fishing. He was a longtime member of Newton Christian Reformed Church. When Ralph retired from farming, he worked at L & L Countertops with his best friend Lou Lanser. His love for his children, grandchildren, and great-grand-children was of the uppermost importance to him, and he will be missed greatly.
Ralph was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers Peter, Henry, and Clarence Van Soelen; his sisters Dorothy Arkema, Christina Hoebeke, Cornelia Arkema, and Marie Brandhof.
Those left to honor Ralph’s memory include his wife of 65 years, Bernice; his children, Rod (Marla) Van Soelen, Karla (Tom) Kriegel, Brad (Deb) Van Soelen, and Brenda Vander Pol (Tony Aldrich); his 13 grandchildren; his 14 great- grandchildren; his brother Donald (Pat) Van Soelen; his sister Joanne (Marvin) Sjaardema; and a sister-in-law Millie Van Soelen.
