Evelyn Vander Velde

Rock Valley, IA: Evelyn Alvina Vander Velde, 93, of Rock Valley, Iowa, died Sunday, February 11, 2024, at Whispering Heights of Rock Valley. A funeral service will be held Friday, February 16, at 11:00 AM, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church of Rock Valley with Pastor Edward Pease officiating. A luncheon and time of visiting with the family will follow the service. Burial will be held at Peace Lutheran Cemetery of rural Sioux Center, Iowa.

   Memorials may be directed to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church of Rock Valley. Porter Funeral Home of Rock Valley has been entrusted with the arrangements for Mrs. Vander Velde. 

   Evelyn (Dierks) Vander Velde was born February 28, 1930, the daughter of Fred and Alvina (Tank) Dierks. She attended rural elementary school and graduated from Rock Valley High School in 1946. Evelyn attended Wartburg College in Waverly, IA for two years. She taught kindergarten in Churdan for one year, three years in Rock Rapids, followed by two years in Sioux City. She married Richard (Pudd) Vander Velde on June 27, 1954, at Peace Lutheran Church. All their married lives they lived in Rock Valley. Later she attended Westmar College and received her BA in Education. She taught kindergarten in the Rock Valley Public School until she retired after teaching there for 27 years. 

   Evelyn was an active member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church participating in the women’s organization, making quilts for Lutheran World Relief, teaching Sunday School, serving on the church council, and helping with the tape ministry for the Nursing Home. She was a member of the NEA, ISEA, and the Rock Valley Teachers’ Association. She served on the library board for many years. She was a volunteer for Valley Manor, a hospital auxiliary member, and served as president when she was on the board.

   Evelyn loved being around her family and liked watching any of their activities, including playing games with them. She enjoyed reading, her computer, playing cards, and baking cookies.

   She was preceded in death by her husband, sister, and parents. She is survived by her children Kristi (Jerry) Bult of Madison, SD; Nate (Sue) Vander Velde of Dalton, MN; and Todd (Karma) Vander Velde of Rock Valley, IA. Grandchildren Troy (Anna) Bult, Mark (Laura) Bult, Megan Bult, Shelly (Steve) Schirm, Brady Vander Velde, Jessica (Tyler) Glanzer, Lindsey (John) Hellinga, Samantha (Mike) Cliff and 15 great grandchildren.