Gerdina Rachuy

FUNERAL NOTICE: Little Rock, Iowa Gerdina Rachuy, age 95 of Little Rock, IA died Friday, January 4, 2008 at the Sibley Nursing & Rehab in Sibley, IA. Funeral service will be 10:30 AM Tuesday, January 8, 2008 at the Salem Reformed Church in Little Rock, with Pastor Brian Hellenga officiating. Burial will follow in the Pleasant View Cemetery in Little Rock. Visitation will be held from 2-8 PM with the family present from 6-8 PM Monday, January 7th at the Salem Reformed Church in Little Rock. The Jurrens Funeral Home of Sibley is in charge of arrangement. Gerdina (Vandyke) Rachuy was born on March 15, 1912 the daughter of Jasper and Gertje Vandyke at Rushmore, MN. By the age of seven both of her parents had died and she and her brother went to live with one set of grandparents and her two sisters went to live with the other set of grandparents. They often reminisced how lucky they were not to have been put in an orphanage. The close bonding of this family followed through many years of birthday parties, hot beef at the Bucksaw and card games. She attended country school near Ellsworth, MN and obtained her 8th grade graduation certificate. Gerdina married Elven Venenga on September 12, 1935. To this union one son, Donald Robert was born. Elven passed away due to complications of diabetes on July 12, 1942. She married Harold Rachuy on January 18, 1949. To this union one daughter, Phyllis Elaine was born. She was an active member of the Salem Reformed Church in Little Rock, the Willing Workers Society, and the American Legion Auxiliary. She enjoyed farm life and was always willing to drop anything and run errands. She helped many with her wallpapering skills. She and Harold enjoyed fifty-three years of marriage before he passed away in 2002. She had been a resident of Sibley Nursing & Rehab since September 11. 2001. Gerdina is survived by her daughter, Phyllis (husband LeRoy) Buss of Little Rock, along with four grandsons, Todd (wife Shana) Venenga of Las Vegas, NV, Brent (wife Kristie) Venenga of Harrisburg, SD, Scott Kruse and fianc Amy Kopischke of Little Rock and Chad Kruse and fianc Teri Houk of Aurora, CO and one great-grandson, Logan James Venenga of Las Vegas, NV. Also surviving is one daughter-in-law, Rhoda (husband Al) Venenga Lange of Rock Rapids, IA and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were her parents; husbands, Elven Venenga and Harold Rachuy; one brother, Sievert Vandyke; three sisters, Jennie Venenga, Grace Larson and Marie Vandyke in infancy; one son Don Venenga and one son-in-law, Keith Kruse.