Obituary of Gertrude Noomen

Gertrude Irene Noomen, eldest child of Wynard and Ruth (Kooiker) Noomen, was born December 27, 1916 at her parent's home near Archer, IA. In the years to follow, the family would grow to include two more daughters: Gladys and Albertha, and two sons: Gerald and Lawrence. In a few years they moved to a farm two miles south of Sheldon, IA. While living here, Gertrude began her education at the Sheldon Christian School, being transported daily by the neighbors in their horse and buggy. She also became seriously ill with diphtheria, consequently missing most of that school year. Later, the family relocated to a farm three miles north of Sheldon, which was a good thing for Gertrude and her siblings as they now had less than one mile to walk to school! Eventually, a new school house was constructed, and in 1930, Gertrude graduated from the 8th grade. Growing up on the farm, Gertrude's childhood was anything but boring. There was a tool shed to tinker in, a grove full of old machinery parts to be disassembled and played on, or hitching Toby to the old buggy for a ride up and down the dirt road could keep a kid busy all day. However, not everything was about play-time; being the oldest child, Gertrude got "an early introduction to the world beyond the house", as she put it. Throughout the year there was seed corn to be shelled, 20 cows to milk daily, cultivating or plowing to do, corn to pick by hand, oats bundles to shock and a huge garden to maintain...and Gertrude helped with all of it. In 1932, the family moved once again to a farm northwest of Melvin, IA. When the country experienced a depression in 1936, Gertrude helped the family out by cleaning a house for $2.00/week, along with the normal farm chores. Eventually, Gertrude left her beloved farm, and moved to Minneapolis, MN where she worked for many years as an accountant. She enjoyed spending time with her close friends; going on vacations, a trip to the World's Fair in Chicago, and several trips to Denver, CO. She had an interest in coin and stamp collecting as well as embroidery, and always had time for a good board game. She was a member of the Evangelical Free Church of America. Gertrude moved back to Iowa in 2003, residing at Prairie View in Sanborn where she passed from this life on January 18, 2015 at the age of 98 years. When Gertrude was 10 years old, she and her family were in an auto accident involving their 1926 Ford and a road grader. She suffered a wide gash in her left hand, which, when healed resembled the letter "J". She was always proud to say her scar identified her in this way: "I belong to Jesus, Jesus belongs to me; not for the years of time alone, but for eternity." She has claimed her reward. Thankful for having shared her life are her sister, Gladys Jacobsma Beltman of Sheldon, IA; 16 nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends. Preceding her in death were her parents, Wynard and Ruth Noomen; siblings and spouses: Albertha (Joe) Dodgen, Gerald (Jennie) Noomen, Lawrence (Ramona) Noomen; brothers-in-law: Harvey Jacobsma and Jim Beltman. Celebration of Life Gertrude I. Noomen Born ~ December 27, 1916 Died ~ January 18, 2015 Age ~ 98 years 22 days Memorial Service Friday, January 23, 2015 10:30 a.m. Sanborn Funeral Home Chapel Sanborn, Iowa Clergy ~ Rev. Steve Swenson Special Music "Amazing Grace" "Just As I Am" "Rock Of Ages" Inurnment West Holman Township Cemetery Sibley, Iowa (Inurnment will be held at a later date.)