Gerdena Mae Van Eck

Gerdena Mae Van Eck was born on July 1, 1935 to Albert and Jenny Schelhaas (Beckering) at home on the family farm in Pipestone County near Edgerton, Minnesota where she was raised and attended Edgerton Christian School. She was baptized as an infant at the Christian Reformed Church in Edgerton and confirmed there in 1952. She was united in marriage on September 29, 1953 to John Van Eck at Edgerton Christian Reformed Church in Edgerton. Following their marriage, they moved several times, always remaining in the Ruthton, Minnesota area. In 1981, Gerdena and John moved to an acreage south of Ruthton on highway 23. In 2009, after retiring, they moved to a townhome in Pipestone, Minnesota. John preceded her in death on April 7, 2014. After his death, she remained in their home.

Gerdena was a member of the Christian Reformed Church in Holland/Pipestone where she was a circle member. She enjoyed gardening, puzzles, quilting, reading, sewing and crocheting. She loved playing dominoes, fishing and vacationing. She especially enjoyed her winters in Texas, but most of all her Sunday afternoon rides with her son, Larry. Gerdena passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at the Edgebrook Care Center in Edgerton, at the age of 89 years, 10 months and 20 days.

She is lovingly remembered by her children, Gary Van Eck of Ruthton, Minnesota, Larry Van Eck of Ruthton, Judy (Brad) Bowen of Pipestone, Minnesota, Lori (Harv) Dragstra of Edgerton, Minnesota, Sharon (Fritz) Morgan of Shakopee, Minnesota and Kathy (David) _Anderson of Plano, Texas; 18 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; one brother, Rolland (Grace) Schelhaas of Edgerton; and one sister, Barbara Nykamp of Edgerton. Gerdena was preceded in death by her husband, John; her parents; one infant brother, Alvin; and one brother, Leroy.