Obituary of Margaret Maurine Van Dalen

Margaret M. Van Dalen, the daughter of David and Mabel E. (Bishop) Welle was born January 20, 1915. She attended primary and secondary school in Jasper County and was a Class of 1932 alumni of Newton High School. She attended Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, IA for two years and the American Institute of Business in Des Moines for one year. She worked until 1940 in the Jasper County AAA office, now known as the FSA office. On December 8, 1940, Margaret married Rozelle Van Dalen and they began their life together farming south of Newton. She was a devoted wife, sister, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. During this time, she found time to be a Sunday School teacher, church pianist, 4-H leader, piano teacher and accompanist for a male quartet. She was a long time member of the Mt. Zion Methodist Church and in later years, the Community Heights Missionary Alliance Church. She enjoyed the BB Club and the neighborhood breakfast club. Her family and her Christian faith were first in her life, but she enjoyed genealogy, crocheting and many craft projects for her friends and family. Margaret entered her home in glory on Thursday, August 26, 2010 at Heritage Manor in Newton. She was 95 years old. Margaret was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents. Those left to treasure Margaret's memory include her husband of 69 years, Clifford Rozelle of Newton and their children: Marilyn Kay (Ralph) Helm of Berwick, IA; Sharon Ann (David) Damkot of Jericho, VT; David Wesley (Sharon) Van Dalen of rural Newton; Nancy Jean (Charles) Faber of Ocheyedan, IA; Norma Sue Van Dalen of Mexico City, Mexico; and Gary Dean (Lori) Van Dalen of rural Newton; her twelve grandchildren and eight great grandchildren; her sister, Ruth Mitchell of Newton and many relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m., Monday, August 30th at Cornerstone Bible Fellowship in Newton. Friends may call after 1:00 p.m. Sunday at the Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home. The family will greet friends from 4:00 till 6:00 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Memorials may be designated to Hospice of Jasper County and may be left at the church or the funeral home.