Ellen Stellinga

Rock Rapids, IA Ellen Stellinga age 91 of Rock Rapids, IA died Monday, June 27, 2011 at the Sanford Sheldon Medical Center in Sheldon, IA. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM, Thursday, June 30, 2011 at Christian Reformed Church in Rock Rapids with Rev. Cliff Hoekstra officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in Rock Rapids. Visitation will be Wednesday, June 29th from 4:00 to 8:00 PM, with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids. Ellen Stellinga was born December 20, 1919 in Ireton, Iowa, the daughter of Mike and Kate (Cannegieter) Harmsen. She grew up in Ireton and later moved with her family to Rock Rapids, IA. On February 19, 1940 Ellen was united in marriage to Allen Red Stellinga in Rock Rapids, IA, where they lived until 1943, when they moved to Artesia, CA. In 1948 they moved back to Rock Rapids where Ellen was a homemaker and raised six children. She enjoyed visiting with her neighbors and sisters, babysitting for her grandchildren, playing board games, especially WAHOO. She was a member of the Christian Reformed Church in Rock Rapids, active with various church activities. On June 17, 1995 Ellens husband, Allen Red Stellinga died after 55 years of marriage. Ellen moved to the Christian Retirement Home in Sheldon, IA and in February of 2007 entered the Sheldon Senior Care Center, where she remained until this past Monday when she died at the age of 91. She will be remembered for her kindness, generous spirit and her love for her children. Her familys foundation of faith was very important to her. She is survived by six children, Jerry (wife, Rosemary) Stellinga of Spirit Lake, IA, Marlin (wife, Marlys) Stellinga and Bob (wife, Linda) Stellinga, both of Sheldon, IA, Ken Stellinga, Betty (husband, Bruce) Kelley, Bev (husband, Tim) Starr, all of Sioux Falls, SD; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; one sister, Millie (husband, Dale) Katt of Rock Rapids, IA; one sister-in-law, Leona Harmsen of Rock Rapids, IA; and many other extended family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Allen Stellinga; six brothers, John, Neil, George, Clarence, Jim and Marion Harmsen; and two sisters, Grace Van Hill and Gert Nyenhuis.