ROCK VALLEY, Iowa | Albertha Altena, 83, of Rock Valley was welcomed into the arms of her Lord and Savior, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2014, at Whispering Heights in Rock Valley.
A celebration of life service will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at First Christian Reformed Church in Rock Valley, with the Rev. Matthew Haan officiating. Burial will be in Valley View Cemetery. Visitation will be noon to 4 p.m. Monday at Porter Funeral Home in Rock Valley. Visitation with family will be 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the church. Condolences may be left for the family at www.porterfuneralhomes.com.
Albertha Dena Van’t Hul was born on May 4, 1930, near Rock Valley, daughter of Bert and Gertrude (Van Maanen) Van’t Hul. She grew up in a loving home with 11 siblings. She attended Rock Valley Christian Grade School, Western Christian High School, and attained her teaching certificate from Calvin College.
Albertha taught lower elementary grades both at Doon Christian and Rock Valley Christian Schools before marrying Louis Altena on April 2, 1951. They farmed the family farm north of Rock Valley before retiring to Rock Valley in 1983.
She dearly loved her family and was known for her servant heart, often putting her family’s needs ahead of her own. Albertha especially enjoyed singing with her sisters, playing piano, and spending time with her family and friends. She was a lifelong active member of First Christian Reformed Church in Rock Valley. She is especially remembered for her strong faith which was evident throughout her life and her many prayers for others.
Albertha is survived by her husband, Louis of Rock Valley; son, Howard (Lynette) Altena of Doon, Iowa; daughter, Garneth (Kevin) Kuiper of Sioux Falls, S.D.; six grandchildren, Tricia (Brian) Mulder, Troy (Michelle) Altena, Evan (Kim) Altena, Teissa (Casey) Green, Paige (Bret) Vanden Bosch, and Lucas Kuiper; 16 great-grandchildren; five sisters, Dorothy (George) Van Beek, and Harriet (Marvin) Vande Kamp, both Rock Valley, Geraldine Vande Vegte of Inwood, Iowa, Joyce (Fred) Smits of Sioux Falls, and Joanne (Rod) De Weerd of Sioux Center, Iowa; three brothers, Harlan (Mary) Van’t Hul, and Junior (Carol) Van’t Hul, both of Rock Valley, and Orville (Arlene) Van’t Hul of Hull, Iowa.
She was preceded in death by her brother and his wife, Lawrence and Maxine Van’t Hul; brother-in-law, Norman Vande Vegte; and two sisters who died in childhood, Joyce and Joanne Van’t Hul.
The family wishes to offer special thanks to all who cared for Albertha in her later years, family, friends, church members, and especially the caring staff at Whispering Heights. Your support was deeply appreciated.