Gilbert S. Van Dusseldorp

Gilbert S. Van Dusseldorp: Gilbert passed away at 5:15 a.m., Friday morning at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House at the age of 86 years, 6 months and 10 days. Gilbert's family includes his wife, LaVerne of Oskaloosa; two daughters: Connie Burke of Oskaloosa and Sandra Vos of Litchfield Park, AZ; four granddaughters: Kelli Vos (Ken Bishop) and Michelle Salas, both of Litchfield Park, AZ; Stacey (John) Bone of Pella, IA and Heather (Travis) Stout of Oskaloosa. He was blessed with 7 great grandchildren: Zachary Robbins, Schuyler Seper, Payton & Austin Bone, Karic, Sierra and Autumn Stout. He is survived by a sister, Elsie Menning of Pella, IA Gilbert Simon Van Dusseldorp, son of Gysbert and Johanna Veldhuizen Van Dusseldorp, was born September 7, 1919 in rural Pella. Gilbert attended country school near Pella and then worked the family farm until he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He entered the service on July 25, 1941 and served until September 26, 1945. While serving in WWII, he was active in campaigns in Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe. Following his discharge he returned to the Pella area where he married the love of his life, LaVerne Ruth Rietveld. Gilbert and LaVerne began their life together on a farm near Pella; they also lived near Monroe, Oskaloosa and Rose Hill and he owned and farmed land near New Sharon as well. Over the course of their married life, Gilbert farmed, drove a truck, and owned and operated sand and gravel pits. Gilbert believed that as a farmer, he was a steward of the land; he operated a bulldozer creating contours to prevent erosion. Gilbert learned to weld before he went to the service, and utilized the skill in the military as well. Maintenance and repair of his machinery throughout his life was very important to Gilbert, and over the years he became an excellent welder. In 1999 Gilbert retired, and he and LaVerne moved into Oskaloosa. Poor health required his admittance to the Pella Regional Health Center Long Term Care Unit on Dec. 27, 2005; on March 15, 2006, he was moved to the Hospice of Pella Comfort House. He was a member of the American Legion Post #34. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Margaret Den Ouden and one brother, Jacob Van Dusseldorp. PDF Printable Version

Gilbert S. Van Dusseldorp

September 7, 1919 - March 17, 2006