Kathleen Joyce Van Olst

NOTICE: Rock Rapids, Iowa Kathleen Joyce Van Olst, age 77 of Rock Rapids died Sunday, November 30, 2008 at Sanford Hospital in Rock Rapids, IA. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 3rd, 2008 at the First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids with Rev. Dan Haggar and Rev. Katie Van Veldhuizen officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in Rock Rapids, IA. Visitation will be Tues. Dec. 2nd from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with family present from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids, IA. Kathleen Joyce Van Olst was born April 22,1931in rural Rock Rapids to Will and Martha (Le Clerq) Tilstra. She received her education from a rural Rock Rapids Country School and finished her high school years by home schooling. Kathleen was united in marriage to Lambert Van Olst on November 10, 1954. They were the first couple to be married in the new First Reformed Church after it was finished in 1954. Kathleen continued her education at Northwestern and Augustana colleges graduating with a teaching degree. She taught 2 years at Hills Christian School in Hills, MN and 2 years in the public school in Little Rock, IA. Kathleen played organ in church for many years as well as being a part of the Joy Circle. Next to her faith, spending time together as a family was very important to her life. Kathleen and her husband operated several businesses over the years including bakeries in the Rock Rapids, Sibley and Luverne communities, Rapids Marine and Trailer Sales in Rock Rapids and finally LVO manufacturing in Rock Rapids. Kathleen was a tremendous encourager to her husband and worked along side him being an integral part of building their businesses. Her family has fond memories of the wonderful, caring, kind-hearted and honest person she was. This past Sunday, November 30th Kathleen passed away at the age of 77. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Lambert; two daughters, Marilyn (Bill) Mammenga of Rock Rapids, and Laura (Leroy) Stuerman of Rock Rapids; 6 grandchildren, Maranda Sprock of Rock Rapids, Nicholas Van De Berg of Honolulu, HI, Melissa Mammenga of Valley Springs, SD, Alexandra Mammenga of Rock Rapids, Scott Stuerman of Rock Rapids, and Eric Stuerman of Rock Rapids; 3 great-grandchildren, Kaden and Carter Sprock and Grady Stuerman; brother, Fred (Sharon) Tilstra of Rock Rapids. Kathleen was preceded in death by her parents, Will and Martha Tilstra.