Alvina Marcella Van't Hul

Alvina Marcella Van’t Hul, 96, of Rock Valley, Iowa, was taken to her heavenly home on Thursday, February 5, 2026, while living at Whispering Heights in Rock Valley.

   A celebration of her life will be held Wednesday, February 11, at 11:00 AM at the First Christian Reformed Church of Rock Valley with Rev. Matthew Haan officiating. The service can be livestreamed at https://www.christianworldmedia.com/livechannel/firstcrcrv. Burial will follow the service at Valley View Cemetery of Rock Valley. Visitation with the family present will be held prior to the service from 9:30-10:30 AM at First CRC, 1401 16th Street, Rock Valley.

   Memorials may be directed to Rock Valley Christian School. The family is requesting no flowers or gifts. Your prayers and kind words are our gift. Alvina’s family would like to invite everyone for a time of food and fellowship at First CRC following the committal service.

   Alvina Marcella De Jager was born on January 1, 1930, to Henry and Rena (Siegersma) De Jager on the family farm near Ireton, Iowa. She was the second oldest of six children. Later the family moved to a farm near Alvord, Iowa. Alvina attended country school near their farm, receiving a certificate for perfect attendance on May 25, 1940, along with many awards for perfect spelling lessons. She graduated from 8th grade.

   Alvina met her beloved and handsome husband, Bernard J. Van’t Hul, while attending Young Peoples Society at church in February of 1946. Their first date was on Easter Sunday, April 6, 1946. On September 4, 1949, Bernie proposed to her and they were married by Rev. Herman Kuiper on December 6, 1950, at the First Christian Reformed Church in Rock Valley. Bernie surprised her by driving up to “their” house on Main Street in Rock Valley. She lived here for nearly 75 years before moving to Whispering Heights on December 30, 2023.

   Bernie passed away on May 12, 1982. A widow at the age of 52, Alvina obtained her GED, proudly telling others she achieved all straight A’s. She worked overnight in a group home for Hope Haven for over 20 years. She was strong and courageous after becoming a widow.

   Alvina was an excellent seamstress. She sewed most of the clothes for her family along with sewing countless items for those less fortunate through Mission Guild at church. She crocheted every Thursday afternoon with a group of friends making many beautiful blankets, tablecloths, doilies, or whatever new pattern they could try. She made the best potato salad, chicken soup, three-layer sandwiches, Old Henry bars, lemon and cherry pie along with many other delicious foods.

   She truly cared about others, often expressing her love and concern. A widow at a younger age caused her to be frugal and practical. Instead of a birthday card, her friends would often receive a bag of sugar instead. She was proud of her family and prayed fervently for them. She loved her Lord and Savior and anxiously waited to meet Him!

   Alvina is survived by her three sons and one daughter; Loy (Janice) Van’t Hul of Rock Valley, Kay (Gerrit) Vis of Rock Valley, Brad (Pei-Lin) Van’t Hul of Fairfield, California, and Chad (Sandra) Van’t Hul of Rock Valley; 16 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; sister, Lois (Roger) Baatz of Rock Rapids, Iowa; brother, Loren (Sandy) De Jager of Hull, Iowa; and sisters-in-law, Helen DeJager of Rock Valley, Iowa, and Linda Van’t Hul of Sheldon, Iowa.

   Alvina was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Rena De Jager; parents-in-laws, John and Clara Van’t Hul; her husband, Bernard Van’t Hul; great-grandson, Kane Van Bemmel; 3 brothers, Bernard (Martha) De Jager, Harvey De Jager, and Donald De Jager; and all of her husband’s siblings and their spouses.