Vivian Van Der Kamp, 87, formerly of Tucson, AZ, went to be with her Lord on Friday, Jan. 8, 2016, at Jefferson Place in Pella. Graveside memorial services will be held Jan. 16, 2016, at the Sully Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Hearthstone Jefferson Place Patient Activity Fund, WesleyLife Hospice – Pella, or the charity of your choice. The Garden Chapel Funeral Home of Sully is in charge of the arrangements.
Vivian was the oldest of three daughters, born on Dec. 2, 1928, to Ernest and Anna (Jelsma) Van Der Kamp, on the family farm south of Sully. Vivian attended Iron Clad, Lynn Grove #11 country school. She graduated from Sully High School in 1947. She attended Iowa State College for two years and received her BA degree in elementary education from Iowa State Teacher’s College and a master’s degree in remedial reading from Teacher’s College of Columbia University in New York. She also received additional credits from the University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ.
Vivian taught in Gilman and Des Moines, IA, and Douglas, AZ. From 1961-1991, she taught in the Tucson Unified School District in elementary and junior high.
Vivian was a very active member of the River of Life Baptist Church in Tucson until her health no longer permitted. She enjoyed reading, word searches, and put many jigsaw puzzles together, always having one going.
Vivian returned to Iowa in March 2014 to live with her sister, Lois Schmelzle. Due to failing health, she became a resident in Jefferson Place at the end of May 2014.
Vivian is survived by her sisters and brother-in-law, Shirley and Gerrit Van Hal and Lois Schmelzle; two nieces and two nephews: Sharon (Lyle) Nunnikhoven, Gregory (Sue) Van Hal, Erwin Van Hal, and Anita (Scott) Carrol; 12 great-nieces and great-nephews; and eight great-great-nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brother-in-law, Marvin Schmelzle.
