"I miss you Grandma V.R. and am so grateful for our visit in August. Wishing I could be there tomorrow but rejoicing with you that you are with Jesus now. You hosted the best Easter egg hunts imaginable and served the best rolls ever, along with carrot sticks, halved grapes, Mt. Dew and cheese balls. I love you. Amber Kinner"
In loving memory of
Gertrude Van Ryswyk
June 13, 1921 - October 5, 2019
Gertrude Van Ryswyk, age 98 of Prairie City, passed away on Saturday, October 5, 2019 at MercyOne in Newton. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 12, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at the First Reformed Church in Prairie City. Burial will follow at Waveland Cemetery. Visitation will take place on Friday, October 11, 2019 from 2:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the church. The family will be present to greet friends from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Memorials may be directed to the First Reformed Church Mission Fund and may be mailed to the funeral home at P.O. Box 391 Prairie City, Iowa 50228, Attn: Van Ryswyk Family. Condolences may be left for the family at www.coburnfuneralhomes.com
The daughter of Berend (Ben) and Jacoba (Vander Craats) Snetselaar, Gertrude was born on June 13, 1921 in Fairview Township. On February 1, 1944, she was united in marriage to Dick G. Van Ryswyk in Altoona, Iowa. Gertrude was a member of the First Reformed Church in Prairie City. She along with her husband farmed west of Prairie City until his passing in 1979 and she continued to live there until 1996. She enjoyed gardening, growing flowers, playing Skip-bo, and cutting quilt blocks.
Those left to honor her memory include her three daughters, Dorothy Ann (Gary) Van Genderen of Lynnville, Mary Louise (Alvin) Fopma of Grinnell and Judy Elaine Van Ryswyk (James McCrory) of Miami, Florida; 10 grandchildren and many great grandchildren. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews. Preceding Gertrude in death were her parents, husband, Dick in 1979, an infant daughter, Barbara Jean in 1947, a son, Harold Lee in 1975, two sisters and three brothers, Jennie Vander Waal, Gysbert (Bert) Snetselaar, Alice Klyn, Geurt Snetselaar and Barney Snetselaar.
Tributes
"RIP Auntie Gertrude
We'll miss you but find comfort in knowing you're safe in heaven with our lord... Bruce and Diane Kimbell.. Peoria, Az."
"We will all miss Gertrude. What a sweet, unassuming and competitive woman she was! I fondly remember her visits to Florida and special times spent with her. We will always keep her memory alive in our hearts. Praying for comfort in knowing she is at peace with our Maker Love and hugs, Janet Turner and family"
"She was a sweet lady. I remember Mary and me, bringing our moms shopping and out to lunch. I remember her and dad, sharing good times at her 90th and 95th birthday. "