Gertrude (Loff) Van Sickel

Gertrude Van Sickel, 99, of Newton died on Wednesday, February 22, 2017, at Skiff Medical Center.   A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Monday, February 27, at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory.  The family will greet friends from 2:00 p.m. until the time of service and again after the service with a coffee time at the funeral home.  Memorials to the Jasper County Courthouse Lighting Fund or the Nelson Manor Activity Fund may be left at the funeral home.

Gertrude, the daughter of Garret and Jennie (Janssen) Loff, was born on November 1, 1917. She grew up in the Sully area where she attended country schools.  Following her country schooling she graduated from Cosmetology School in 1938 in Des Moines.  On August 22, 1939, Gertrude was united in marriage with Raymond Tinnermeier at the St. John’s Church in rural Newton. They farmed in rural Newton for 10 years, then moved to Texas, Arkansas, and Missouri, before moving back to Newton in 1952.  Gertrude worked as a beautician in Newton and later opened her own shop, Gertrude’s Beauty Shop on 1st Ave. in Newton.  Following Raymond’s death in 1959, Gertrude was united in marriage to Ellis Van Sickel in 1972.  They made their home in Moravia, Iowa where Gertrude had a beauty shop in their house and she also worked at the Junction Restaurant. While in Moravia, Gertrude was a member of the Iconium United Methodist Church.  In 1984, Ellis passed away and after a short time, Gertrude moved back to be with family in Newton. She was a faithful member of the Community Reformed Church. 

Gertrude enjoyed crafts and was a member of the craft committee at McCann Village.  She also liked to play games and cards.  Gertrude was known to be a morning person and a great cook and baker.  She also loved all of the time she spent with her family.

Those left to honor Gertrude’s memory are her daughter, Janice Miller of Newton; grandchildren, Gary (Audra) Doak of Nevada, Missouri, Randy Doak of Newton, Teri Miller (Randy Wingert) of Fort Dodge, Michelle (Kent) Deal of Colfax, and Johnna (Alan) Moore of Bettendorf; her many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; Ellis’ children, Robert (Martha) Van Sickel, Richard (Candace) Van Sickel, and Janet (Wayne) Longley and their families; and her many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands, Raymond Tinnermeier and Ellis Van Sickel; two great-grandchildren, Ethan Moore and Joshua Doak; her brother, Cornie Loff; two sisters, Helen Bates and Gladys Beukema; and a son-in-law, David Miller.

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