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Gerald L. VanderWolde

1936 - 2009

 

 

Gerald L. VanderWolde
1936-2009

Gerald "Gerry" L. VanderWolde, 72, of New Braunfels, Texas, died on Monday, May 4, 2009, in New Braunfels, following a lengthy, courageous and valiant battle with declining health issues.

Funeral services were held on Monday, May 11, at the First Reformed Church, Buffalo Center. The Rev. Bill Peake officiated.

Burial was in the Ell Township Cemetery in Klemme. Andrews Funeral Home of Klemme was in charge of arrangements.

Gerald L. Vander Wolde, was born on May 24, 1936 in Martin, S. D. along with his twin sister Gladys. During childbirth his mother Gladys Allison died, leaving his father, Lee Allison to care for the newborn twins and seven other children.

Following the passing of his mother, the twins were adopted by the Rev. Gerrit and Johanna VanderWolde. The other family memberswere cared for in different homes. As the twins matured they were united with all of their brothers and sisters and have celebrated biannual family reunions with their siblings through the years.

Gerry was united in marriage with his wife Joanne Trampel on Oct. 26, 1966, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. Their union was blessed with two children, a son Jeffrey of Glendale, Ariz., and daughter, Misty of Ironwood, Mich. The couple made their home and raised their children in the Klemme area. Gerald worked for Iowa State University and for the town of Klemme, but spent most of his life as a pipeline inspector traveling throughout the United
States.

His favorite past times included special times with family and friends, fishing, riding horses, his greyhounds, golfing and playing pool and cards. Gerald will long be remembered for his jokes and pranks. He was a member of Grace Memorial Church of New Braunfels, Texas, Fraternal Order of the Eagles and the Elk's Lodge.

Those left to cherish the memory of Gerry's life included his wife, Joanne of New Braunfels; his son, Jeffrey of Glendale, Arizona, and his daughter, Misty of Ironwood, Mich.; his mother-in-law, Ruth Trampel of Klemme; his twin sister, Gladys Van Drie, Estes Park, Colo.; sister, Mitzi Mills and her husband Harold of Fairfield Glade, Tenn., brother, Bill Allison and wife Marlene of Wheatland, Wyo.; sisters-in-law, Anna Allison of Gordon, Neb., and Mabel Allison of Hot Springs, SD.

Gerry is also survived by brother-in-law, Richard and wife, Diane Trampel of Klemme, sister-in-law, Dixie and husband, Larry Tremen of Klemme, and brother-in-law, Terry and wife, Tracy Trampel of Klemme; numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews and countless friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lee and Gladys Allison, his adopted parents, Rev. and Johanna VanderWolde; an older sister, Delores Allison; sister, Shirley Ringo and her husband Bing Ringo; three brothers, Andrew Allison, John and his wives, Velma June and Dorothy Allison, Jim Allison and Ken Allison and brother-in-law, Rudy Van Drie.

source: Leader & Signal, Garner, Iowa, 13 May 2009, page 6, column 3

 

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