Gwen Meester

Ellsworth, Minnesota Gwen Meester, age 43 of Ellsworth, MN died as the result of an extended illness Tuesday, February 12, 2013 at her home in Ellsworth, MN surrounded by her family. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, February, 15, 2013 at Bethel Reformed Church at Little Rock, IA with Rev. Matt Miller, officiating. Burial will follow in the Bethel Reformed Cemetery at Little Rock. Visitation will be Thursday, February 14th from 2:00 " 8:00 p.m. with the family present from 5:00 " 8:00 p.m. at the Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids. Gwendolen Denise Meester was born March 1, 1969 in Ft. Meade, Maryland to Wendell and Mildred (Gertsma) DeBeer. She was raised and educated in George, IA and graduated from George High School in 1987. On October 22, 1988 she was united in marriage to Larry Meester at Bethel Reformed Church. The couple first made their home in Rock Rapids and in 1989 they moved to George. In 1991 they moved to Ellsworth, MN. Gwen and Larry welcomed their daughter Samantha in 1993 and their son Riley in 1997. Gwen worked for K-Products, Chase Bag Company and upon moving to Ellsworth, she worked for Parkview Manor. After working at Parkview for 10 years she went back to school and earned her LPN degree. Gwen went to work for Rock Rapids Health Centre in October of 2002 as a Nurse/Social Services Director. She loved her work very much. It was a great fit for her because of the natural gift she had for hospitality, compassion and being a wonderful caregiver. She remained at the Health Centre until declining health forced her to stop working in December of 2012. She was a member of the Bethel Reformed Church of Little Rock, IA. She enjoyed gardening, camping, games of many kinds, and especially card games. Gwen loved company and always looked forward to hosting friends and family in her home. This past Tuesday, February 12, 2013 she passed away at her home, surrounded by family. She will be greatly missed. Gwen is survived by her husband of twenty-four years, Larry Meester of Ellsworth, MN; daughter, Samantha Meester and fianc Gaje Sammons of Sioux Falls, SD; son, Riley Meester, of Ellsworth, MN; and honorary daughter, Anne Reschke of Berlin, Germany; parents, Wendell and Millie DeBeer of George, IA; sisters, Michelle (Scott) Timmer of Rock Rapids, IA; and Becky (Mark) Stueven of George, IA; parents-in-law Gary and Judy Meester of Sioux Falls, SD; sister-in-law Dawn (Michael) Van Den Top of Rock Rapids, IA; brother-in-law Dominic (James) Meester of Sioux Falls, SD; nieces Kate Timmer of Rock Rapids, IA; Ashley Stueven of George, IA; nephews, Jessy Stueven and Gregory Stueven, both of George, IA; Christopher Van Den Top of Edina, MN; and Jonathan Van Den Top of Sioux Falls, SD; and other extended family members. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Otto and Ida DeBeer and Harry and Grace Gertsma; and Uncle Dennis DeBeer.