January, 2018 Maurice Moments MRC Family News Our Members who are celebrating an "Over 80” birthday this month: Fred De Vries Berdena Grady 382 11th Ave. 708 2nd St. SE #103 Sioux Center, IA 51250 Orange City, IA 51041 *Fred will celebrate his 87th birthday on Jan. 3 *Berdena will celebrate her 88th birthday on Jan. 15 Don Van Horssen Evaleen Van Peursem 518 4th St., P.O. Box 25 1007 4th St. NW Maurice, IA 51036 Orange City, IA 51041 *Don will celebrate his 80th birthday on Jan. 3 *Evaleen will celebrate her 86th birthday on Jan. 25 Sharla De Jager Joyce Groen Landsmeer Ridge #605 512 5th St., P.O. Box 92 1007 7th St. NE Maurice, IA 51036 Orange City, IA 51041 *Joyce will celebrate her 83rd birthday on Jan. 25 *Sharla will celebrate her 86th birthday on Jan. 6 Leola De Jong Karleen Smits 4433 Elder Ave. 150 1st Ave. NE Seal Beach, CA 90740-2962 Sioux Center, IA 51250 *Leola will celebrate her 85th birthday on Jan. 28 *Karleen will celebrate her 83rd birthday on Jan. 8 Hospitalizations… We pray for our church family who have been hospitalized or have health concerns: Chris Budden, Bryan Van Gelder, Alison Lenters, Marty Driggers, Joel Leusink, Greg Haverdink, Loren Vander Schaaf, Pam De Haan, Brian Vande Kieft, Rod Kluis, Jonathan Hathaway, Berdena Grady and Julie Leusink. Sympathy... We offer our sympathy to the family and friends of Rob Vander Broek. He passed away on December 9 and his obituary is as follows: Robert was born on September 24, 1921, at Maurice, the son of Gerrit and Nellie (Van Roekel) Vander Broek. He was raised at Maurice, where he attended high school. During World War II, he served in the United States Navy, where he was awarded the Purple Heart. On April 26, 1946, he married Alma Ida Popma at Maurice. They farmed near Ireton. She passed away on September 27, 1984, in Sioux City, after more than 38 years of marriage. On June 14, 1986, he married Alice Jeanetta Cleveringa Foreman in Maurice. They made their home in Orange City, where in recent years, they lived at the Pioneer Memorial Home and the Landsmeer Ridge Retirement Community. They later moved to Kosgrove Estates at Sioux Center, and on October 5, 2017, they transferred to Prairie View. Rob was a member of the Maurice Reformed Church, where he served on the consistory as both an elder and a deacon. He enjoyed boating, fishing, gardening, and woodworking. They wintered in Tripsto, Texas, for several years. Mr. Vander Broek looked forward to family gatherings and took great pride in his children and grandchildren. Survivors include his wife of more than 31 years; five children and their spouses, Earla and Frank Bracken, of Saratoga, California; Lyle and Rachel Vander Broek, of Dubuque; Leo and Jody Vander Broek, of Edina, Minnesota; Merlin and Carol Foreman, of Ankeny; and Leland and Jean Foreman, of Fremont, Nebraska; twelve grandchildren, Jeff Bracken, Jamin Bracken, Matt Vander Broek, Nate Vander Broek, Jake Vander Broek, Lauren Vander Broek, Joel Foreman, Daniel Foreman, Paul Foreman, Stephen Foreman, Lisa Parker, and Lori Van Dalen; twenty great-grandchildren; and a sister, Helen Vlieger, of Ontario, California. In addition to his first wife, he was preceded in death by a grandson, James Foreman; and three siblings, Ray Vander Broek, Myra Vander Broek, and Norman Vander Broek. We offer our sympathy to the family and friends of Marlene Van Beek. She passed away on December 6. Her obituary is as follows: Marlene Van Beek was born January 29, 1951 in Pipestone, MN to William and Tena (Vogel) Leusink. She was raised in Jasper, MN. Marlene graduated from Jasper High School in 1969. She continued her education at Jackson Votech with a degree in Accounting. Marlene was united in marriage to Allen Toering on April 7th, 1972. To this union three children were born. Marlene married Alvis Van Beek on December 29, 1988 in LeMars, IA. The couple made their home on a farm near Ireton, IA. Marlene loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed camping, fishing, and riding motorcycle with Alvis. They enjoyed vacationing together with the CMA (Christian Motorcycle Association) to various places such as Colorado and Branson, MO. She was a member of the First Reformed Church of Maurice, IA. On December 6th Marlene passed away unexpectedly at the age of 66. She will be greatly missed. She is survived by her husband, Alvis Van Beek; daughter, Melissa Toering of Denver, CO; son, Jason (Leah) Toering of Sioux Falls, SD; and daughter, Michelle Toering and her daughter, Keagan both of Sioux Falls, SD; step-son, Marvin Van Beek and his children, Hunter Van Beek and Haley Van Beek all of Ireton, IA; Sisters-in-law: Marge (Henry) Leusink of Hull, IA and Val (Stanley) Leusink of Murray, UT. Siblings: Alvina (Robert) Smith of Sioux Falls, SD; Kenneth (Mary) Leusink of Hull, IA; Phyllis Otten of Sturgis, SD; Janet (Robert) Kallemeyn of Pipestone, MN; John (Ronda) Leusink of Sioux Center, IA; Hedy (Douglas) Van Bruggen of Sioux Center, IA; Thelma (Douglas) Brown of Aberdeen, SD; William (Elaine) Leusink of Sioux Center, IA; Bernice (Gerben) Doornink of Sioux Center, IA; David (Carolyn) Leusink of Traverse City, MI; and Denise (Michael) Vander Broek of Sioux Center, IA. As well as countless nieces, nephews and other extended family members. Marlene was preceded in death by her parents, brothers; Henry Leusink and Stanley Leusink and grandsons, Kadean and Chaz Toering. We extend our sympathy to the family and friends of Arlin & Lorna Bylsma. Lorna’s father, Louis Brouwer passed away last month and his funeral was held on January 5 in Holland, Minnesota. Thank You Notes Thank you for the big fruit basket and also to Joel Leusink for bringing it to me. It was very good. Thank you for all the cards I received this holiday season. Sadie Van Peursem Thank you for all the Christmas cards and also to Steve Vis for the visit and the fruit basket. Wanda Kuiken Nancy and I would like to thank everyone who surprised us for our wedding anniversary. It took some doing to locate us and we just want to say thank you. Kent & Nancy Mouw A special thank you to all who remembered me with my knee surgery with prayers, cards, food and visits. A special thank you to Pastor Wick for his visits. Paul Bos I would like to say thank you to all who remembered me when my sister Lena passed away and also recently when Robert Vander Broek passed away. You are an army of prayer warriors. Thank you too for the fruit basket. Edna Vander Broek A special thanks to Jr. GAP and Sr. High students for coming with their visits and for the gifts they brought and also thank you to the sponsors for taking their time to work with them. Thank you for the Christmas carolers. I enjoyed all of this so much. May God bless each one of you in the year to come. Wilma Vander Stelt I would like to thank Maurice Reformed congregation for all the caring and payers lifted up for me in this very difficult time. A special thanks to the ladies of the church for serving lunch after the funeral. Also to Pastor Wick for being there for me. Words cannot describe how grateful and appreciative I felt. Al Van Beek A great big thank you to all my friends at 1st Reformed Church for the cards and food baskets and lots of goodies that were brought over for Christmas and my birthday. Thank you so much for remembering me. Denny Van Ommeren I would like to say thank you for all the birthday cards, phone calls, and food I received for my 90th birthday. It really made my day extra special. I also want to thank my Heavenly Father for blessing me with 90 years of life. God is Great!! Marlin Wichers Community Thank You Hope for Life Community Church of Watertown, SD extends our heartfelt “thank you” to the generous members at the Maurice Reformed Church for the gracious gift that we received from the Thanksgiving offering. Your gift is very much appreciated and encourages us in our ministry. This past year Hope for Life was able to purchase their own building as a ministry center. Since beginning to meet there in February, our attendance has increased by 25%. Praise the Lord. Our youth programs continue to grow and remain strong. We look forward to an active ministry year in 2018 through our Missional Home Groups, Worship celebration services, youth ministries, outreach programs, and keeping up our property. May the Lord richly bless the Maurice Reformed Church and their mission in Southern Sioux County. Together, we build the Kingdom of the Lord for His glory. Carl and Jan Van Voorst (There are copies of their newsletter on the information counter) A huge thank you to everyone who made the Christmas program such an amazing night! Our directors Kelli Hooyer, Amy Schmidt, Sara Jansma and the music by Katie Leusink and Jill Muilenburg helped the kids do such a great job! Each Sunday school teacher went above and beyond to make the night so wonderful! Also, thanks to the people who donated the money for the peanut/candy bags, your generosity is appreciated! To all the people who helped pack the 235+ bags of candy and get them to each classroom- gracias!! MRC is blessed to have an abundant group of volunteers and we value all you do to help make the children’s ministry successful! Bonnie Wolf, Children’s Pastor Disclosure Statement: Photo/Video Disclosure Statement Maurice Reformed Church (MRC) does take photographs and/or video of its members and program participants for use in print materials or by electronic methods.