Pauline Vander Wilt, a daughter of Henry and Minnie (Vande Krol) Van Der Wilt was born on July 16, 1924, on a farm in Jasper County, Iowa, southeast of the town of Sully, Iowa. Pauline received her education by attending the Junction Country Grade School through the 8th grade. Upon graduation she worked at home helping her parents on the family farm, and also as a waitress at the Sully Cafe. On March 7, 1945, she was united in marriage with David Brand Kooistra at Oskaloosa, Iowa. To this union three children were born: Donna Lou, Verla Rae, and Merlin Dale. Following their marriage, Dave and Pauline farmed west of Sully, Iowa for 35 years. In 1977 they moved to Pella, Iowa into the home they had built. Pauline excelled in her role as a wife, mother, grandmother and great- grandmother. She enjoyed being a seamstress, crocheting, quilting, planting, and maintaining her flowers and garden. Pauline would then spend countless hours canning from her vegetables. Family and friends were always welcome to her table for a cup of coffee, a piece of pie and a dish of ice cream. She was well known for her abilities to cook, bake and was an exceptional hostess. On January 14, 2004, David passed away at the age of 80. Pauline and David had been blessed with 59 years of marriage. Pauline was a strong independent woman and lived in her own home after the age of 90. Her son Merlin Dale Kooistra passed away unexpectedly on September 23, 2019, at the age of 62. Pauline's health declined and later she became a resident of the Cottages in Pella. She passed away suddenly on May 14, 2022, at the age of 97 years. Those left to celebrate her long life are her two children, eight grandchildren, 19 great- grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren