Rita C. Alleven

Larchwood, IA        Rita Alleven, age 91 formerly of Larchwood, IA of Sioux Falls, SD died Monday, June 19, 2017 at the Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.        Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, June 23rd at The Church of St. Mary in Larchwood, with Father Bruce Lawler as celebrant. Burial will follow at Larchwood Cemetery.        Visitation will be Thursday, June 22nd from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., with family present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at The Church of St. Mary in Larchwood. There will also be a 7:00 p.m. Vigil service at the church Thursday evening. The Jurrens Funeral Home of Larchwood is handling arrangements.        Rita C. Alleven was born on December 12, 1925 in Voorburg, Holland, the daughter of Peter and Marie (Vieveen) Bontje. She immigrated to Iowa in 1950. On March 28, 1951 Rita was united in marriage to John Alleven in Larchwood, IA. Following their marriage Rita and John lived their entire married life in Larchwood. To this union three children were born: George, Rose and Frank. John passed away on June 6, 2001 and Rita continued to live in Larchwood until moving to Sioux Falls, SD in September of 2013. Words Rita lived by were: “Make the best of it” and “Take it as it comes”.        Family left to remember her love are: George (Della) Alleven of Gladstone, MO, Rose (Joe) Jenkins of Sioux Falls, SD and Frank (Kathie) Alleven of Colton, SD; five grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and two on the way; three sisters: Theresa (Bob) Soukup of Woodbury, MN, Polly Janeszeski of Minneota, MN and Margaret Kapperman of Sioux Falls, SD; and many nieces, nephews and other extended family.        She was preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Marie Bontje; husband, John Alleven; and four siblings: Pete Bontje, Bill Bontje, Ann Wiering and Cora Bloetjes; and one grandson, Keith Hellwig.