Van Maanen, Violet Helen Roorda - 1033-2022

DUNNICK, FORTUIN, GATES, ROORDA, TERLOUW, UITERMARKT, VAN HAAFTEN, VAN KOOTEN, VAN MAANEN, VAN SOELEN

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 4/27/2024 at 11:53:48

Violet Helen (Roorda) Van Maanen, 89, of Lynnville, passed away Friday, Dec. 16, 2022, at The Cottages in Pella. Funeral services were held Tuesday, Dec. 20, at 11 a.m. at Lynnville Friends Church. Interment was in Woodland Cemetery, Lynnville. Memorials may be given for the Lynnville Historical Society (Wagaman Mill Museum) or The Gideons.
Violet Helen Roorda was born near Lynnville on July 4, 1933. She was the second child born to Gerard and Jeanette (Terlouw) Roorda. Her formal education was at a Lynnville grade school. As a young girl, she helped neighbors with new babies and housecleaning. She also worked as a clerk at the grocery store and the sundries store in Lynnville. Violet and Walton Alvin Van Maanen met while working there and were united in marriage on Dec. 22, 1955, at Lynnville Church of God. Walton was stationed at Schilling Air Force Base in Salina, KS, when their first child, a son, Brian Lee, was born June 7, 1959. Violet and Walton experienced disappointments and tragedy during their marriage. Apr. 18, 1960, their second child, a daughter, Sally Jo, was born and died soon after her birth, and on Oct. 13, 1994, their son, Brian “Pizza,” was electrocuted. Aug. 15, 1961, their third child, Bryce Alan, was born, and Jan. 20, 1964, their daughter, Brenda Jo, was born.
Violet and “Van” owned and operated their customer-oriented business Van’s Radio & TV in Lynnville. Violet was the sundries manager and bookkeeper while “Van” focused on marketing and the technical responsibilities. Together they retired in 2005, leaving a void in the Lynnville business community. Violet served as a Cub Scout Den Mother and was a member of The Gideons International Auxiliary. She and “Van” were members of Lynnville Friends Church for 60 years where she was active in various committees and helped the ladies sew quilts for missions. They enjoyed going to old tractor shows, but most importantly Violet cherished her family. She was an excellent cook and enjoyed baking and canning produce from her garden. Violet loved music and could often be found playing "records" while enjoying her home. Violet with the assistance of “Van” attended to each other’s needs at their home in Lynnville until she became a resident at The Cottages in Pella in February 2020.
Those who will cherish her memory, which for her was fading, are her faithful husband Walton “Van” Van Maanen; two children Bryce (Deb) Van Maanen and Brenda (Kevin) Van Kooten, all of Lynnville; five grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; sister Darlene Gates of Pella, brothers Gary (Janice) Roorda and Gordon (Sherry) Roorda of Lynnville; and the following brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: LeRoy (Ruth) Van Maanen, Gilbert Van Maanen, Arlene (Arnout) Dunnick, Dorothy Van Maanen, Marilyn Van Maanen, Dennis (Linda) Van Maanen, Shirley (Melvin) Uitermarkt, Karen (Frank) Van Soelen, Rodney (Bev) Van Maanen, and Dale (Ruth) Van Maanen; and many nieces and nephews.
Violet was preceded in death by her children Sally Jo and Brian “Pizza;” her granddaughter Bethanie Lea in a tragic tractor accident on May 13, 1997, at the age of 2 1/2 years; her grandson-in-law Barry Van Haaften’s untimely death on Feb. 26, 2021, at the age of 30 years; her parents; her brother-in-law Seward Gates; parents-in-law Teunis and Rika (Fortuin) Van Maanen; sister-in-law Ada Van Maanen; and three brothers-in-law Irvin, Marvin, and Norman Van Maanen.
Violet was always kind and nurturing and had a quiet, strong faith. Although soft spoken, she was a friend to many, and friends are friends forever, if the Lord’s the Lord of them.
Source: Hometown Press (Sully, IA); December 21, 2022