Artie Elizabeth Van Roekel

Artie Elizabeth Van Roekel: Artie passed away Saturday evening at the Oskaloosa Care Center at the age of 95 years, 1 month and 16 days. Artie's family includes her children: Joleen (Bob) Peterson of Lincoln, NE; Lois (Walt) Alexander of Temple, GA; and Wayne Van Roekel of Oskaloosa; step-children, Junior (Cecelia) Van Roekel of Oskaloosa and step-son-in-law, John DeGroot of Rose Hill, Iowa; 10 grandchildren: Richard DeGroot, Roger DeGroot, Randall DeGroot, Ruth Gott, Dana Leydens, Gayle Van Gorp, Eric Peterson, Jill Wertz, Scott Van Roekel and Shari Day, 14 great-grandchildren and three great great-grandchildren; a sister, Helen Carriker and a sister-in-law, Martha Veerman, both of Oskaloosa. Artie Elizabeth Van Roekel, daughter of Herman and Elizabeth Van Rees Veerman, was born May 31, 1916 at the rural home of her parents near Oskaloosa, Iowa. Artie attended country schools and was a 1934 graduate of Rose Hill High School. She continued her education at William Penn College where she was certified to teach in rural schools. She taught in Bald Prairie School and Brush Street School, where she taught her bother and sister. Artie married Clifford Balsem Van Arkel May 31, 1939. They made their home south of Beacon where they farmed. To this union two daughters were born, Joleen and Lois. Clifford passed away October 8, 1945. Artie married Otto Henry Van Roekel January 27, 1949. They farmed until 1954 when they moved to Wright after which Artie also did substitute teaching. In 1965, Artie and Otto moved into Oskaloosa at which time she began providing homecare to elderly residents. Artie was a lifetime member of Central Reformed Church which her grandparents helped to organize. She enjoyed sewing, reading and gardening. Otto passed away May 7, 1996. In her later years, Artie was a resident of Maple Ridge Assisted Living and in April of 2011 deteriorating health required her move to the Oskaloosa Care Center. Besides her parents and both of her husbands, Artie was preceded in death by five brothers: Herman, John, Roy, Ernest and Floyd ""Bill"" Veerman and three sisters: Nellie Talbert, Dorothy McCombs, and Henrietta Newenhouse; a step-daughter, Dorothy DeGroot and a step-son, John A. Van Roekel PDF Printable Version

Artie Elizabeth Van Roekel

May 31, 1916 - July 16, 2011