Nelva Rohlfs

IN LOVING MEMORY OF
NELVA ROHLFS

BORN
July 16, 1940
Boyden, Iowa

PASSED AWAY
March 23, 2019
Sheldon, Iowa

VISITATION
With Family Present 5 - 7 P.M.
Monday, March 25, 2019
Vander Ploeg Funeral Home; Boyden

FUNERAL SERVICE
11:00 A.M. Tuesday, March 26, 2019
United Presbyterian Church ~ Boyden, Iowa
Rev. Andrew Hilla ~ Officiating

MUSIC
“Heavenly Roses”
“It Will Be Worth It All”
“Heaven Medley”
Sung by:
Marilyn Maurer, Marlys Korthals & Mary Jo Huls

CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS
Processional ~ “Because He Lives”
Recessional ~ “How Great Thou Art”
Organist: Harriet Fiihr

CASKET BEARERS
Deryck Hoogendoorn
Zach Rohlfs
Carter Tomkins
Deven Tomkins
Noah Rohlfs
Kolby Tomkins

FINAL RESTING PLACE
Sheridan Township Cemetery
Boyden, Iowa

After today’s graveside, relatives and friends are invited to join the family at the DEMCO Community Building in Boyden.

Memorial gifts will be directed to Fieldcrest Assisted Living, Orange City Home Health and Hospice, or the Boyden United Presbyterian Church.

Arrangements are under the care of the
Vander Ploeg Funeral Home; Boyden, Iowa.

Nelva (Moret) Rohlfs was born on July 16, 1940 to Wm J. and Jeanette Moret. She passed away on Saturday, March 23, 2019 at Fieldcrest Assisted Living in Sheldon, IA. She grew up on the family farm between Boyden and Sheldon—one of ten children—where she loved riding horses and working outside with her brothers. When Nelva was 16 years old, her mother died, and after that she stayed home from high school one day every week to take care of her younger siblings. She graduated from Boyden High School in 1957.
Nelva married her high school sweetheart, LeRoy Rohlfs, on Nov. 26, 1958. Last summer they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with the entire family and many friends. Nelva and LeRoy were blessed with four children: Darrell, Bradley, Stacie and Chad. She loved being a mother and later a grandmother. Nelva and LeRoy raised their family in Boyden, where their lives centered on their children. Their home was a popular gathering spot for their kids’ friends, some of whom still return to visit them decades later. They were longtime members of the United Presbyterian Church.
Nelva enjoyed golfing, camping and fishing, and attending Boyden-Hull School activities. She liked to cook and bake and strived to serve family and friends their favorite foods when they came to visit. She loved taking care of her grandkids, and always had time to read books and play cards and board games with them.
Nelva was one of the kindest people we have ever known. She brought out the best in us, because she consistently saw the best in people and her focus was on caring for others. That’s a legacy that remains with us and inspires us to follow her example.
Nelva is survived by her husband, LeRoy, and children: Darrell (Heather) of Spirit Lake, IA and Jupiter, FL; Bradley (Nancy) of Boyden; Stacie (Glenn) Tomkins of Windsor, WI; and Chad (Melissa) of Tucson, AZ; 8 grandchildren: Alex Rohlfs Hoogendoorn; Zach and Noah Rohlfs; Deven, Carter and Kolby Tomkins; Lauren and Landon Rohlfs; and 2 great-grandchildren: Alayla Jaylee and Coralline Hoogendoorn.
She is also survived by 5 sisters: Lavonne (Rod) Grooters of Rock Rapids, Linda Heiliger of Sheldon, Cheryl Bennett of Sioux Falls, Carol Moret of George, and Marcia (Phil) Sietstra of Sioux Falls; 3 sisters-in-law: Wineva Moret of Mankato, MN; Max Moret of Sheldon; and Doris Moret of Wilmington, IL.; and brother-in-law Ray Rohlfs of Sheldon. She is also survived by many nephews and nieces. Nelva leaves behind a large family who will miss her dearly.
Preceding her in death were her parents, Wm. J. and Jeanette Moret; 4 brothers: LeRoy (Bud) Moret, Marvin Moret, Harvey Moret, and Ronald (Butch) Moret; 2 sisters-in-law: Verna Moret and Shirley Rohlfs; 2 brothers-in-law: Bill Heiliger and Ken Bennett; and several nephews and nieces.
The family is grateful for the excellent care provided for Nelva by the care-givers at Fieldcrest Assisted Living in Sheldon, and Orange City Home Health and Hospice.