Willeda Van Essen

Willeda Rose Van Rheenen was born on August 12, 1942, in the Mahaska County
Hospital, the third of five daughters born to William and Angeline Van Rheenen. When
she was young, she learned the value of hard work and kept that ethic for the rest of her
life. Willeda and her older sister Aleatha helped their father William with the chores, and
all their family had fun times together such as ice skating on the frozen farm pond. She
admired her mother Angeline's baking skills and how she made everyday routines fun.
Willeda inherited the same drive and determination that brought her Van Rheenen
ancestors to Pella with Dominie H.P. Scholte in 1847.

She attended Flint Ridge Country School, where she was one of only two girls in her
class. After graduating from Pella High School in 1960, she worked at the Vernon
Company in Newton. Willeda met the love of her life on a double date when Robert was
sixteen and she was fourteen. They dated through high school, and she waited for him
while he served in the Air Force. They were united in marriage on October 19, 1962, at
Third Reformed Church, and recently celebrated their sixty-second wedding
anniversary.

Willeda and Robert were blessed with three children: Robin Lea, Crystal (Cristy) Dawn,
and Scott Alan. They brought much joy to Willeda’s life, especially when they were
together as a family going on hayrack rides, riding in the wagon at harvest time, having
picnics at Red Rock, and playing games such as Rook, Pit, and Canasta. When her
grandkids stayed over, they often played Chinese Checkers and Old Maid together.

True to her independent spirit, she worked at Van Essen Auto Repair as the office
manager and bookkeeper, speedily rode her motorcycle around town, and refinished
antique furniture for her historic home. Willeda used her considerable artistic abilities to
paint, braid rugs, and create things to be sold before Etsy existed. She loved a good
sunrise or sunset, and was a talented gardener. All her grandchildren looked forward to
eating her famous homemade buns. Later, she divided her working hours between the
auto shop and The House Next Door, her antique store.

Willeda found great joy in reading, and always loved to have a book under the couch.
She and Robert traveled extensively, including trips to Europe, Canada, and much of
the United States in pursuit of her love of the outdoors: enjoying trees, waterfalls, and
mountains.

Willeda’s proudest achievement was creating a warm and welcoming environment for
her family. She gave of herself freely; she wasn’t just our mom, she was our friend.
Willeda was very proud of her husband, her children, her grandchildren, and her great-
grandchildren; family was everything to her. She and Robert were never happier than
when their house was filled with family. During those times, she would be busy taking

photographs and making sure everyone was taken care of. Willeda had a great sense of
humor and was always making her family laugh; she could make any problem or hard
time feel easier.

After growing up and raising their family in Third Reformed Church, Robert and Willeda
became charter members of Heartland Reformed. But to truly know the story of her life,
one must know the story of her faith in Jesus Christ. She joined church in high school,
following the legacy of her faithful Kolenbrander and Van Rheenen families. Robert and
Willeda enjoyed their daily Bible devotions together, and her faith led her to share her
testimony and lead others to Christ, especially her children and grandchildren.

Last Friday, she passed quickly, as she wished, with her family around her singing her
favorite hymns, and Robert holding her hand. She wasn’t afraid to leave this earth, as
she knew where she was going. Her only regret was leaving her family behind.

Saddened by her passing but celebrating her heavenly home are her husband of sixty-
two years, Robert Van Essen and her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren:
Robin and Kevin Vos of Pella, Iowa
Matthew Nicholas of Pella
Mark Henry of Pisgah, Iowa
Emily Elizabeth of Pella
Cristy and Karl Roozeboom of Pella, Iowa
Kate Elizabeth and Chandler Douglas Heisler of Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Tucker Chandler and Grayson James
Michael James Roozeboom of Des Moines, Iowa
Scott and Lora Van Essen of Pella, Iowa
Luke Alan Van Essen
Caleb Nicholas Van Essen
Jonathan Scott Van Essen

She is survived by her husband, Robert Van Essen, four sisters: Violet Vander Linden,
Aleatha (Orlo) De Bruin, Lola (Mert) Kramer, and Carol (Bob) De Ronde; two sisters-in-
law: Marilyn Van Essen and Judy Roorda; nieces and nephews, extended family, and
many friends.

Willeda was preceded in death by her parents, Angeline and William Van Rheenen; her
parents-in-law, Henry and Jennie Van Essen; her brothers-in-law, Willis Vander Linden
and Stanley Roorda; her niece Debra Jayne Kinney, and her nephew, Christopher Rob
De Ronde.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am, Thursday, December 5, at the Heartland
Reformed Church. Visitation will also be held at Heartland Reformed Church from 4:00
to 6:00 pm, on Wednesday, December 4, with family present. The Garden Chapel
Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.