Phyllis Vanden Brink

 Boyden, IA

     Phyllis Vanden Brink of Boyden, Iowa died Saturday, November 23, 2019 at her home surrounded by family in Boyden.

     Funeral services will be 10:30 AM, Tuesday, November 26, 2019 at Tabernacle Baptist Church in George, Iowa with Reverend Bryan Anderson officiating.   Burial will follow the service.

     Visitation will be Monday, November 25, 2019 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM with the family present at the Tabernacle Baptist Church of George.  A sing-along will follow the visitation.

     Phyllis Ann (De Berg) Vanden Brink was born Easter Sunday on a farm north east of George March 24, 1940 to Helmer and Helen (Kruger) De Berg. 

     A life-long worshiper, Phyllis was baptized and accepted the Lord as her savior at the age of 7. Phyllis graduated from Little Rock High School in 1958. She continued her education by attending training on teletyping in Omaha. 

     Phyllis married Marvan ‘Marv’ Vanden Brink December 9, 1961 in George, IA. They lived in many places together like Colorado and Killeen, Texas, where Phyllis accompanied Marv to his Army basic training. They lived out their married life in Boyden, IA. 

     Phyllis was never without work and had numerous jobs, including the Boyden cafe, the Boyden eggplant, tri-state mutual insurance, and delivering newspapers for the Index Reporter. Her family would say Phyllis is best known for owning and operating Van's Lunch Wagon with Marv. They served at auctions for over 34 years and the Boyden ballpark for 20 summers. Phyllis was a well-loved baker and cook. Her favorite thing to cook for her family was a Sunday roast with potatoes. She also catered weddings, graduations, celebrations and local events. She fondly remembered many times cooking for events, especially making enormous batches of potato salad for church picnics. 

     She was an active member of The Baptist Tabernacle Church “The Tab” in George, IA where she taught the Joy Club on Sunday evenings. Along with the Joy Club she taught Sunday School for 20 years, sang in the choir, and served in the roles of VP and President of the Woman’s Missionary Fellowship for several terms. One of Phyllis’ favorite things was singing in trio with her sisters, Ora and Joanne. Phyllis and Marv did everything together. One of Phyllis’ favorite memories with him was taking a three-day river boat cruise from Sioux City to Kansas City with Marv and the Klieins. The boat that took them on the voyage was built from scratch, with some of the electrical work having been done by Marv.

     She is survived by her five children, Alan (Shanda) Vanden Brink of Boyden, IA, Tim (Rosemary) Vanden Brink of George, IA, Roger, (Deborah) Vanden Brink of Sanborn, IA; Elon Vanden Brink of Emerald Isle, NC; and Eldon (Anita) Vanden Brink of Hull, IA; 17 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren; two sisters, Ora Fischer of George, IA and Joanne (Louis) Vust of Little Rock, IA; sisters-in-law, Francis De Berg Harms of Sheldon, IA; and Donita De Berg of Sibley, IA; and many nieces and nephews.

     Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband, Marvan; her parents Helmer and Helen; four brothers, Johnnie, Leo, Alvin and Jim De Berg; two sisters, Vera Mulder and Arlene Arends.