Lambert Van Olst

Rock Rapids, IA    Click here to watch Funeral Service

     Lambert Van Olst age 89 of Rock Rapids, IA died Thursday, June 10, 2021, at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center in Long Beach, CA.

     Funeral service will be 10:30AM, Tuesday, June 29th at First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids, IA, with Rev. Dan Hagar officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in Rock Rapids.

     Visitation will be Monday, June 28^th from 2:00 to 8:00 PM, with family present from 6:00 to 8:00 at First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids.

     Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids is in charge of services.

     Lambert Van Olst was born December 1, 1931, in Hierden, the Netherlands, the son of John and Maria (Timmer) Van Olst, the oldest of eight children.  He attended “primary” school for 8 years and 4 years at baking school.  He was present to see the arrival of the US and the liberation from Hitler.   Later he served the Netherlands in the Dutch army.  

      On Feb 5, 1954, Lambert came to America at the age of 22. He ended up in Hull, IA, because his dad's 2nd cousin, John Hymans, sponsored him. His first job was at Sandy's Bakery (Phil Hess) in Rock Rapids.  He met Kathleen Tilstra at Young People’s and married her on November 10, 1954. They were the first couple to be married in the "new" First Reformed Church after it was finished in 1954. They moved to Sheldon where he worked at Brouwer's bakery.   He then worked for Prahl's Firestone Tires. They moved to Orange City to work for the bakery there and attend Northwestern college for elementary education. After graduating they moved to Rock Rapids and taught school for 2 years in Hills and then 2 years in Little Rock. While they taught, they took night courses and summer school to get a BA degree. Lambert and his wife operated several businesses over the years including the Golden Crust Bakery in Rock Rapids, Sibley Bakery and Luverne Bakery; Rapids Marine and Trailer Sales in Rock Rapids and finally LVO Manufacturing in Rock Rapids. Lambert retired in 2005. On November 30, 2008, Lambert’s wife, Kathleen passed away at the age of 77.

     Lambert attended the 1st Reformed Church of Rock Rapids, was a member of the Jaycees, Kiwanis, Chamber of Commerce and was an EMT.

     Lambert remarried Katherine (Hop) Appel on May 28, 2012, at Okoboji, Iowa. Together they enjoyed retirement, did some traveling and shared homes in Florida, California, and Iowa.  Lambert enjoyed sitting in the backyard of their California home eating the wonderful oranges, enjoying the California weather.

     Lambert will be fondly remembered tapping a tune with his silverware and practicing his skills as the “claw”. 

     He is survived by his wife, Katherine Van Olst of Artesia, CA; two daughters, Marilyn (Bill) Mammenga of Rock Rapids, IA and Laura (Leroy) Stuerman of Rock Rapids, IA; 6 grandchildren: Maranda Sprock of Rock Rapids, IA, Nicholas (Tiffany) Van De Berg of Sioux Falls, SD, Melissa (Gerod) Olivier of Brandon, SD, Alexandra (Kris) Krull of Rock Rapids, Scott (Kayla) Stuerman of Rock Rapids, and Eric (Erica) Stuerman of Rock Rapids; 10 great-grandchildren, Kaden and Carter Sprock, Grady Stuerman, Aubree Benz, Slate Stuerman, Bowyn Stuerman, Kye Stuerman, Macyn Olivier, Kambrie Olivier, Lena Olivier and Benjamin Krull; 2 step-children, Doug (Karyn) Appel and Patricia Keen, both of Artesia, CA; 3 step-grandchildren, Ryan and Melanie Appel, both of Artesia, CA and Scott (Krystal) Keen of Sioux Fall, SD; 2 step-great-grandchildren; brother, John (Karmen) Van Olst of Lake Park, IA;  4 sisters: Eileen De Jong of St. Joseph, MO, Gertrude (Dennis) Overweg of Sioux Falls, SD and Gerri Reinke and Lucy Ymker, both of Rock Valley, IA; brother-in-law, Fred (Sharon) Tilstra of Rock Rapids, IA; and many nieces, nephews and other extended family.

     Lambert was preceded in death by his parents, John and Maria Van Olst; wife of 54 years, Kathleen Joyce Van Olst; infant sister, Wympje Gertrida; sister, Marie Addink; and a great-granddaughter, Jessa Olivier.