- Date Of Birth: October 15, 1927
- Date Of Death: May 25, 2022
- State: Iowa
Richarla Alida Van Ee was born October 15, 1927, to Richard L. and Gertrude Mae (Walraven) Lautenbach, near Pella, Iowa. Sadly, Richarla’s father died when she was just two months old. She and her mom moved to the Walraven home to live with her grandparents and uncles and aunts.
Due to childhood illnesses, Richarla couldn’t walk well. As a result, she would sit with her grandma who taught her embroidery, knitting, crocheting and quilting. She often sat on her grandfather’s lap reading the Bible as they warmed their feet by the stove. When she was eight years old, she began attending town school. During the week she lived with Uncle Elias and Aunt Rosetta Kolenbrander. She graduated from Pella High School in 1945 and then worked on the home farm with Uncle John Walraven.
One Saturday night in 1943, Richarla met Bernie Van Ee on the square in Pella. They were married on July 23, 1947, in the Walraven home, continuing the tradition of her parents and aunts and uncles. To this union ten children were born. Richarla and Bernie began their married life about 10 miles northwest of Pella, near the Skunk River bottom, where they lived for 40 years. Family and friends fondly referred to their home as ”The Skunk River Motel”. Richarla and Bernie spent many hours in prayer and she continued this practice to the end of her life. Richarla had many happy memories of cooking, canning, and caring for the family home.
The two most important things in Richarla’s life were her relationship with her Lord and her family.
In the fall of 2018 Richarla moved to The Cottages. She loved the view from her window and the wildlife that gathered at her birdfeeder. She passed away at the age of 94.
Richarla was preceded in death by her husband Bernie, parents Richard and Gertrude Lautenbach, an infant son James Dean, son-in-law, John Van Haaften, Uncle John Walraven, and great-grandchildren: Jude Treur and Jude Van Ee.
Those left to cherish her memory are her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren:
Gary and Marcia (Scholten) Van Ee, Pella, Iowa
Philip and Erin Van Ee
Aidan, Iain, Colin, Rowen
Mark Van Ee
Michael and Kimberly Van Ee
Arianna, Sarah
Richarla and George Den Oudsten
Hannah, Alida, Emma, Caleb
Ruth and Will Verhoef, Pella, Iowa
Lynn and Kevin Roberts
Natalie, Finn
Paul and Monique Verhoef
Noah, Aaliyah, Zoë
Rachel and Greg Treur
Tessa, Genevieve, Jack, Hazel
Joel and Katie Verhoef
Eden, Joel, Elaina
Bernard and Jaci (Van Wyngarden) Van Ee, Anchorage, Alaska
Heidi and Joel Verbrugge
Josiah, Hannah, Isaac
Joshua and Heidi Van Ee
Eliyana, Caleb, Gideon
Rebecca and Matt Hoksbergen
Eli, Rachel, Emily, Jacob
Sheryl and Larry Hanthorn, Pella, Iowa
Tricia and Lance Van Zee
Avery, Carver, Davis
Jana and Paul Boonstra
Annika, Sophia, Isaiah
Benjamin and Jeana Van Haaften
Payten, John, Brexley
Fred and Deb (Rozenboom) Van Ee, Pella, Iowa
Jessica and George Economos
Vernon, Gabriella, Titus
Stephanie and Joshua Van Drunen
Cole, Evan, Hadley, Tate
Jennifer Van Ee
Verlan and Rebecca (Smit) Van Ee, Kenosha, Wisconsin
Noelle and Rajan Purcell
Rebekah, Stephen
Nathan and Alison Van Ee
Kana, Kai, Kody
Nicholas and Tessa Van Ee
Jaak, Rowan, Keziah
Noah Van Ee
Justin and Rachel Van Ee
Marvin and Dawnetta (Ried) Van Ee, Eldridge, Iowa
Donavin and Colleen Van Ee
Charney, Rosalee, Donavin
Marcie and Steven Bradley
Evelynn, Dawn
Valerie Van Ee
Eric and Donna (De Cook) Van Ee, Otley, Iowa
David Van Ee
Aaron and Kaitlyn Van Ee
Kasten, Kohen
Lydia and Nate Van Veldhuizen
Martin
Chris and Kelly (Van Zomeren) Van Ee, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Dawit, Kate, Eliza
She is also survived by her sister-in-law Cathryn Van Ee.
