Margaret Somorenburg, daughter of Cornelius and Barbara Hall Smorenburg, was born in Pella, Iowa, April 5, 1878 and passed away June 29, 1942. She had reached the age of 64 years 2 months and 21 days. Her childhood years were spent in the community where she attended local schools and central college. Early in life she made confession of her savior and lord and united with the Baptist church of this city. On July 10th, 1900 she was united in marriage to William Vanderlinden who preceded her in death on August 3, 1924. To this union five children were born, Leonard W. of Conroy, Iowa; Cornie W. of Promise City, Iowa; Mrs. Carl Roby of Milton, Iowa; Marion E. of Bloomfield, Iowa; and Mrs. Lawrence Meade of Milton, Iowa. She also leaves 12 grandchildren; and one surviving brother, Gerrit Smorenburg of this city. One brother Tunis Smorenburg and one sister, Mrs. M. DeReus proceeded her in death.

The years of her married life were spent on a farm north of Pella from whence she moved to Eddyville and later to Pulaski, Iowa. In 1932 she returned to Pella and engaged in a very successful career of nursing until compelled by her health to retire from an active life. The last five years she made her home with her uncle W.W. Cook of this city. Her Christian attitude and faith in her savior remained true through the trials of life that came to her. Her thoughtfulness endeared her to all who knew her. She was a member of the Baptist Ladies Aid Society and of the Chapter No. 387 of the Eastern Star attended in a body and their ceremony was given at the graveside with Dr. T.G. Fultz as W.P., Mrs. Hattie Gezel as W.M., Ella Tilma, as Chaplin, Mrs. H. C. Vancleave as Adah, Pearl Vangorp as Ruth, Fern Van Zante, as Father, Cecile Vanderbeek as Martha, and Hildegarde Nesbit as Electa. Funeral Services were conducted Wednesday morning, July 1st at 10 o'clock from the Pella Co-operative Burial Association Funeral home. Mrs. Marie Lactenbach and Mrs. Fred Lactenbach assisted by Mrs. H.C. Vancleave, rendered the favorite aged selection "Going down the Valley" and "Made with Me" the Reverend Lesther Child of the first Baptist church of Centerville, Iowa officiated. The Pella chapter of O.E.S. attended the services and had charge of the committal at the grave. Pall bearers were John Tilma, Wilhelm Gezel, John W. Vanderlinden, John Veenstra, Cornie Smorenburg, and William Baer. Interment was made in Oakwood. - Pella Chronicle July 2nd, 1942.

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