Donald Van Roekel

Donald Van Roekel

Donald Van Roekel
February 14, 1949 – January 5, 2022
Oskaloosa, Iowa | Age 71

Donald Van Roekel, 71, of Oskaloosa, passed away while under Hospice Care in the Northern Mahaska Specialty Care Center in Oskaloosa on Wednesday, January 5, 2022. Donald was born on February 14, 1949, at the Mahaska Hospital in Oskaloosa, Iowa, the son of Clarence and Charlotta (Den Adel) Van Roekel.

Donald grew up on the family farm near Olivette and helped with the chores and farming. He attended country school located near his home. As an infant he contracted spinal meningitis and years later rheumatic fever, which left him with a heart murmur and a weakened heart. However, Don loved to run, and he ran everywhere on the farm. According to the doctors, it made his heart stronger.

Early on, Donald worked as a janitor at the Mahaska County Court House and later took a job at Vermeer in Pella. After a short time at Vermeer, he kept busy offering yard work and snow removal in and around Oskaloosa.

Donald enjoyed singing in the church choir and riding his moped around town. As his health declined, he became a resident at Vriendschap Village in Pella and more recently at Northern Mahaska Specialty Care.

His family includes his siblings: Henry (& Twylah) Van Roekel of Leighton, Dorothy Hayes of Torrington, Wyoming, Carolyn Ogden of California, Doris Van Roekel of Oskaloosa, and Dale Veldhuizen of Des Moines.

Donald was preceded in death by his parents; his stepmother, Verla; 3 sisters: Barbara, Gladys and Sandra Van Roekel; and 2 brothers, Clarence Jr. and Howard Van Roekel.

A private graveside service will be held at Evergreen Cemetery near Leighton. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Donald Van Roekel please visit the Bates Funeral Chapel Sympathy Store.