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Photo of Bert Coeling

Bert Coeling

12/1/1919 - 4/3/2006


Obituary


Bert Coeling, 86, of Kanawha, Iowa, passed away exactly at noon on Monday, April 3, 2006 at the Muse Norris in Mason City, Iowa.  His two daughters ans sons-in-law were by his side as one of his favorite songs, "In the Sweet Bye and Bye,' played in the background.

Bert was born Bartel Coelingh in Hoogeveen, Drenthe providence, The Netherlands on December 1, 1919; the fourth of five children born to Wessel and Aaltje (Bennema) Coelingh.  He grew up in Hoogeveen and served as a member of the Dutch Army when his country was overrun by Nazis in World War II.  Bert and his brother, Gerrit, were forced into hiding and they served in the Dutch underground resistance throughout the war.  Gerrit was killed by the Nazis as they retreated during the final days of the war, and the desire for change led to Bert's immigration to the United States in December 1946.

Bert lived in St. Louis, Missouri, and later in Hollandale, Minnesota, where he met his future wife, Martha Marie DeBoer.  They both moved and worked in Grand Rapids, where their two daughters, Phyllis and Marilyn, were born.  In 1953, they moved to Renwick, Iowa with their family to help Joan and Viola Eekhoff with their farm work.  Bert and Martha had been married 52 years when Martha passed away on May 14, 2003.

Bert was a lifetime member of the Christian Reformed Church, both in The Netherlands and the U.S.  He served as a member of the consistory for several years in the Kanawha church and was a strong example of his faith.  He demonstrated his Dutch heritage through his love for tulips, and the tulip display he helped organize in the shape of a cross is currently growing in Kanawha.

Bert is survived by his two daughters and sons-in-law, Phyllis and Jeff Hagen, and Marilyn and Roger Peters, all of Woodbury, Minnesota; five grandchildren, Derek, Vanessa and Kyle Hagen; and Meleah and husband, Troy Miller; and Daniel Peters.  He is also survived by many sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews in the U.S., The Netherlands, Brazil, and Canada.  Two special sisters-in-law in Kanawha, Evelyn Christians and Viola Eekhoff, helped look out for Bert after Martha passed away.

Bert was preceded in death by his wife, Martha in 2003; mother, Aaltje in 1951; father Wessel in 1953; and siblings, Gerrit in 1945, Albert and and Aaltje in 1997, and Antiena in 1998; as well as several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.