Bess Uitermarkt

Bess Uitermarkt, 91, of Oskaloosa, passed away Friday, May 30, 2025, under hospice care at the home of her daughter in Oskaloosa. Bessie Lavon Uitermarkt, daughter of Frank Walter and Beulah Lee (De Heer) Pearson, was born November 2, 1933, in Knoxville, Iowa. She grew up on a farm north of Knoxville and attended a country school near her home. She initially worked at the Overall Factory in Knoxville. Bess was a homemaker for many years; when she returned to work, she served as a nurse’s aide and a ward clerk for over 20 years at Mahaska County Hospital. Bess married John McDonald; a daughter was born to that union. They later divorced. She married Ruby E. Smith on February 24, 1968, in Oskaloosa; they were married for 23 years until his death on March 18, 1991. January 16, 1999, she married Marvin Uitermarkt at the First Christian Church in Oskaloosa. Bess enjoyed working and remained friends with many of her co-workers; her true source of joy was spending time with her daughter, granddaughter, and a great-granddaughter. Bess was a life member of the American Legion and the V.F.W. and was always ready and willing to service wherever she was needed. Her family includes her daughter, Vicki (Jim) Vanderlinden of Oskaloosa; her granddaughter, Missy (Jarrod) Dupre of Oskaloosa; and great-granddaughter, Amanda Veldhuizen; three brothers: Elmer “Jipe” Pearson of Knoxville, Ned (Jan) Pearson of Knoxville, Lyle (Cindy) Pearson of Pella; and two sisters: Sue Surber of Des Moines, and Lyla (George) Scales of Peoria, AZ. Marvin’s children also survive Bess: Brian (Christi) Uitermarkt of Riverside, Pamela (Lynn) Morrison of North English, and Teresa (Brian) Hagen of Blairstown, as well as his grandchildren, Ryan (Heather) Uitermarkt, Tanner (Jessica) Morrison, Sabrina (Nick) Cox, Shaun (Nicole) Dietze, Jesse (Jennie) Dietze, Sarah Dietze; and a dear and special sister-in-law, Doris (Jonathan) Nibbelink of Peoria, Iowa. Bess leaves behind many honorary children and grandchildren who will miss her deeply. In addition to her parents, Bess was preceded in death by both of her husbands, Ruby and Marvin; a grandson, Johnny McCombs; three brothers, Frank, Scott, and Pete; two sisters, Wilma Hollingshead and Lola Cordle; a sister-in-law, Evelyn Pearson; and a brother-in-law, Doug Surber. Funeral Services for Bess will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, June 2, 2025, at Langkamp Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa, with Rev. Harold McElwee of the Columbia Baptist Tabernacle officiating. Burial will be in Forest Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. on Sunday at the funeral chapel; the family will greet visitors from 2-4 p.m. Memorial contributions can be directed to Vicki Vander Linden and will be designated later.

Bess Uitermarkt

November 2, 1933 - May 30, 2025