Dolores Rylaarsdam

Dolores Rylaarsdam, age 86, of Sioux Center, Iowa, was called to her eternal home after a lengthy time of physical decline, passing away on Sunday, June 15, 2025, at Sioux Center Health in Sioux Center in the company of her family.

A visitation with the family present will be held Thursday, June 19, 2025, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. at the Memorial Funeral Home in Sioux Center.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 20th at First Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Center, with Reverend Edward Veldhuizen officiating. A burial will be held in the Valley View Cemetery of Rock Valley, Iowa.

Please consider a memorial given to one of the following: Justice for All (JFA Rock Valley) – The Luke Society (Sioux Falls) – Student Scholarship Fund, Calvin Seminary

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Dolores Faith (Van Otterloo) Rylaarsdam was born July 1, 1938, on a farm near Rock Valley, Iowa, the daughter of Steven H. and Elsie (Vander Meer) Van Otterloo. Dolores grew up and started her education in Rock Valley at Rock Valley Christian and graduated from Western Christian High School. She continued her education as a member of the first class of Dordt College, graduating with a teaching degree. She furthered her education at Westmar College in LeMars, Iowa, graduating with a full Bachelor’s degree.

She started her teaching career at Rock Valley Christian School. She then took a position at Pella Christian Elementary School in Pella, Iowa, where she met her husband to be, Cornie Rylaarsdam, who she has described as the best thing in her earthly life. They were united in marriage on June 12, 1964, at Rock Valley. They made their home at Pella, Edgerton, Minnesota, and moved to Sioux Center in 1972 where they lived for the remainder of her life.

Dolores was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, educator and musician. Along with being a homemaker, she worked at the Dordt College Library and taught kindergarten in the Ireton Christian School. During her life she was a member of Christian Reformed Churches in each of the communities she lived. She was active in the Ladies Aid and Women’s Bible Study groups including leading a Bible study. She taught English and Bible in Sioux Center to Laotian immigrants. She used her skills sewing, knitting and crocheting to create items, even clothing, and especially to repair clothing for family. Throughout her life, she maintained a deep faith in her Lord and Savior.

For more than 60 years she played organ in many churches, including Rock Valley First CRC, Pella Calvary CRC, Edgerton Bethel CRC, Sioux Center Bethel CRC, Sioux Center First CRC, Peace Lutheran of rural Rock Valley, and others, starting at the age of 14. She taught piano lessons to her children as well as other students. She was an accompanist for a touring Male Chorus while in Pella as well as providing music for numerous other occasions. She performed an organ recital for a Sioux Center summer series of recitals.

In her retirement years, she had the opportunity to travel to spend time with family throughout the United States, as well as taking special trips with Cornie to the U.S. northwest and Europe. She especially enjoyed time spent with her grandchildren and great grandchildren during those years.

She is survived by her husband, Cornie of Sioux Center; their children, Tim Rylaarsdam of Sioux Center; David (Rachele) Rylaarsdam of Grandville, Michigan; Doug (Robin) Rylaarsdam of Circle Pines, Minnesota; and Faith (Richard) Rietveld of Bellflower, California; eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren; and two nephews, Bill (Nancy) Van Otterloo of Sheldon, Iowa; and Steve (Wanda) Van Otterloo of Rock Valley.

Dolores was preceded in death by her parents, Steven and Elsie, and her brother, Harold (Margaret) Van Otterloo.

Dolores and her family were grateful for the loving care she received at the Crown Pointe Care Center and Sioux Center Health in the final two years of her life.