Mrs. Barney Van Roekel, nee Lena Steenhoek, was born July 3, 1866, on a farm near Pella, Iowa, the daughter of Gysbert Steenhoek and Henrietta Klyn. Death came suddenly on the afternoon of November 8, 1956, at the age of 90 years, 4 months, and 5 days while in her home in Pella, 511 West First St.

She was united in marriage with Barney Van Roekel at Pella on February 15, 1888. To this union were born 2 sons and 3 daughters: Henry B. of Lynnville, Gysbert of Pella, Henrietta, Mrs. A. W. De Penning of Pella, Lizzie, Mrs. Herman Swank of Harvey, and Dena, Mrs. Dick Boot of Pella. Beside these children, she leaves 6 grandchildren, 2 step grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Also surviving are the following brothers and sisters: Simon Steenhoek of Monroe, John Steenhoek of Prairie City, Hugo Steenhoek of Pella, Jane, Mrs. Gys Van Hemert of New Castle, Texas, Follina, Mrs. Charles Groeneweg of Pella, and Henrietta Steenhoek of Knoxville.

Preceding her in death were her husband and 6 brothers and sisters.

After her marriage she lived on a farm south of Sully for 32 years and moved to Pella in 1920. She united with the Bethany Reformed Church as a young lady, transferring her membership after moving to Pella to the First Reformed Church of which she was a member at the time of her death. She was a charter member of the Ladies' Aid and a member of the Dorcas Mission Society of the church. She will always be remembered by her family and friends for her devotion and interest in them and for the example set for them. She was a kind and loving mother to them

Funeral services were held on Monday, November 12, 1956, at 1:30 p.m. from the First Reformed Church preceded by a prayer service at the Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home. The Rev. A. Haverkamp officiated and interment was in Oakwood Cemetery. Music was rendered by Mrs. Dick De Heus, Mrs. Marvin Tysseling and Gene Wormhoudt. Casket bearers were grandsons of Mrs. Van Roekel: Vernon Boot, Roscoe Brand, Marion De Penning, Harold De Penning, Edwin Horman, and Edward Hoksbergen.

[Pella Chronicle, The (Pella, IA) 15 Nov 1956, p.16c1,2]