Reuben Van Hemert, 91, of Pella died Apr. 28, 2014, at the Comfort House in Pella. Funeral services were held May 3 at Third Reformed Church in Pella. Memorials have been designated for Hospice of Pella.
Reuben Elmer Van Hemert was the son of Marce and Nellie Weyers Van Hemert. He and twin sister, Ruby, were born on July 19, 1922, southwest of Otley.
Reuben was united in marriage with Margery Van Heukelom at her parents' home in Pella on June 3, 1943. They were blessed with six children. Reuben and Margery farmed for many years near Sully. Reuben served on the Farm Bureau Board in Jasper County, and he served as president of the Lynnville-Sully School Board.
In 1966, Reuben and Margery moved to Pella. Reuben worked for 41 years as a real estate agent, many of them as owner of Van Hemert Real Estate. Even after selling the business, he continued to keep regular hours at the office.
Reuben was a member of Third Reformed Church in Pella for 65 years and served on the consistory as an elder. He was also a member of Kiwanis and served on the Pella City Council. Reuben loved to travel during retirement; however, his favorite trips were visiting children and grandchildren. He also enjoyed driving patients to their doctor's appointments as part of the hospice care program.
Reuben was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Ruby Van Hemert and Diverta Dykstra; granddaughter, Leslie Van Hemert O'Bannon; and daughter-in-law, Sue Van Hemert.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Margery Van Hemert of Pella; his children: Stanley (Judi) Van Hemert of Pella; Keith (Chris) Van Hemert of Pella; Mark Van Hemert of Aberdeen, WA; Russell (Caryn) Van Hemert of Pella; Marue (John) White of Waupun, WI; and Lyle (Linda) Van Hemert of Sioux Falls, SD; 19 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.