Vera A Rydell

Vera A. Rydell, age 74 of McAllen, TX, formerly of Rock Rapids, IA died Sunday, Aug. 15, 2010 at her home in McAllen, TX. A Funeral Service will be held in Veras honor at Kreidler Funeral Home on Thursday August-19th 2010 at 10 am in McAllen. Family and friends are invited to gather at 2:30 PM, Saturday, August 21st at the Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids and process to the Holy Name Cemetery for burial at 3:30 PM. Vera Arlene Rydell was born in Edgerton, Minnesota to John and Wilma (Stevens) Vander Poel on December-16, 1935. As a young woman, Vera helped around her parents farm and assisted in the raising of her younger siblings while attending Edgerton Public Schools. At the age of 15, Vera started cooking at local cafs Spottys , and Genes. At the age of 20, Vera became the owner of Veras Caf in Pipestone Minnesota and people would come from miles around to taste her Banana Cream Pies. In 1957 Vera married William Charles Rydell of Rock Rapids, Iowa and made her new home at their farm outside of town. Together they opened the Circle R Caf and Veras cooking drew customers from all around the area, Vera always loved cooking. Vera had twins Donald John Rydell and Dwayne Francis Rydell on August-29th, 1958. On May-23rd, 1963 she had daughter, Roxanne Lynnae Rydell. Vera divorced and moved with her children to Sioux Falls, South Dakota in 1967. She was a career minded woman dedicated to also raising her young children. She worked in home decorating for Sears in the furniture department until getting her Real Estate License in 1971 and went to work for Gray Real Estate. Through 1975 Vera worked at Griffin-Gerlach Realty and DD Nordstrom Realty in Sioux Falls as one of the few Multi Million Dollar Top Producing Women in the 70s. In 1977 Vera went on her own and opened-Rydell Realtors. Vera was an active member of the Sioux Falls Board of Realtors and well respected in the local Real Estate Community. Vera became a Cancer survivor at the young age of 32 and was faced with additional health challenges throughout her life but always was a survivor and hard worker. In 1979 she moved to McAllen, Texas with daughter Roxanne. She immediately jumped into the field of Texas Real Estate, working with Hal Lusby and Associates, Coldwell Banker Homefinders, Action Realty, Progressive Realty and finally opened her office ALL PRO REALTY in 1987. Vera was a pioneer in the Rio Grande valley working with Corporate Relocation and REO Bank owned properties. Vera committed much of her time to the Greater McAllen Association of Realtors, she was Realtor of the Year in 1984 for GMAR as well as served on all of the local committees and the Local Greater McAllen Association of Realtors Board of Directors. Vera also served as a Director for the Texas Association of Realtors for 6 years. Vera developed an incredible client following in her 39 years of Real estate service, she loved the business and the friends she made along the way. Vera lived a full life often faced with obstacles and tragedy, she lost her son Don in a car accident in 1984. In 2000, Vera was diagnosed with breast cancer, in 2005 she was also diagnosed with lymphoma, her friends and family will tell you, she never stopped working. Vera spent her last 10 years adoring her grandchildren, traveling, fishing and gardening while everyday fighting breast cancer and lymphoma. She got to realize her life long dream of traveling to Africa last year. Her final days were spent watching her birds and fishpond and picking fresh berries with her granddaughters Gaby and Lexy. Veras pride and joy in life were her family, especially her 3 children Don, Dwayne and Roxi, and for her love and dedication they will forever be grateful as she had so much to do with the people they are today. Vera was preceded in death by her son Donald Rydell, Parents John and Wilma Vander Poel and brother Mark Vander Poel. Vera is survived by her son, Dwayne Rydell (Renee) grandchildren, Jesse Rydell and Rachel Rydell, all of Sioux Falls, SD and daughter, Roxanne Rydell-Gonzalez (David) and grandchildren Gabrielle Gonzalez and Alexa Gonzale, all of McAllen, TX. Brother and Sisters, Jack Vander Poel (Vernice) of Pipestone, MN, Norman Vander Poel (Donna) of Fresno ,CA, Ken Vander Poel , Shelly MN, Lois Steilow, Shelly MN, Lila Manguson (Harlan), Tracy , MN, Lynn Wahlert (Al), Luverne, MN, Lori Devericks (Roger) , Sioux Falls , SD. The family of Vera Rydell would like to thank Odyssey Hospice (Yoli, Albert and Gilbert and team) for their compassionate care of Vera in her final months, as well her lifetime friends Mary Warren and Neddie Moreno, for their dedication, love and support till the end. Finally, the Team at Celebrity Realtors for their patience and support to Roxanne while caring for her Mother in her final days.