Garden Chapel Funeral Homes

06/19/2026

Alice Booze

Alice Jean Davis Boozé, age 95, passed away peacefully on June 18, 2026, at The Cottages in Pella, Iowa, surrounded by her loved ones.

Alice was born on October 16, 1930, in Fremont, Iowa, to Charles Emory Davis I and Edith Blanche (Brown) Davis. She was the eighth child in the family and the last surviving of her siblings.

Alice graduated from Fremont High School in 1949 and remained connected to her classmates throughout her life, attending many class reunions. Following graduation, she taught grade school and worked for the telephone office before marrying John H. Rapp in 1953. Together they raised five children. In 1992, she married Ray Boozé. Alice and Ray shared a love of travel and spent many years exploring the United States in their RV, visiting national parks and creating lasting memories along the way.

Faith was an important part of Alice’s life. She was a member of Fremont Methodist Church and later Hope Lutheran Church in Buffalo, Missouri. She was also an active member of the VFW Auxiliary. Alice enjoyed reading, playing Bingo, and collecting post cards.

Alice was blessed with 12 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren, all of whom brought her immense joy and pride.

Alice will be lovingly remembered by her children and their families:

Carol (and the late Kevan) Wilson of Anaheim, California; her grandchildren Julia (Jonathan) Pettit and their children Heath, Ashton, and Emmitt of Grimes, Iowa; Matthew Wilson of Anaheim, California; Nicole (Chris) Connolly and their children Liam, Sierra, and Wyatt; and Angela (Mario) Cabrera and their children Nevaeh, Avery, Rebecca, and Skyler of Anaheim, California.

Sharon (Duane) Vander Hart of Edgewood, Iowa; their children Amanda (Michael) Johnston and their children Skyler and Ava of Pella, Iowa; Ashley (Taylor) Vander Hart and their children Braelynn and Bellamy of Edgewood, Iowa; and Andrew (Rachael) Vander Hart of Ozark, Missouri.

Mary (Kevin) Besco of Oskaloosa, Iowa; their children Melissa (Austin) Stevens of Oskaloosa and Riley Meinders and his children Bay and Zayla of Rose Hill, Iowa.

John (Velma) Rapp of Leighton, Iowa; their children Amy (Jason) Bissell and their daughter Serenity of Newton, Iowa; Kathrine (Andrew) Franco of Harvey, Iowa; and Levi Rapp of Leighton, Iowa.

Alice was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter, Betty Rapp; her husband Ray Boozé; and her eight siblings: Ruth Davis Adams, Paul Davis, Wayne Davis, Katherine Davis Witt, Charles Davis, Frances Davis Pope, Lloyd Davis, and David Davis.

In accordance with her wishes, Alice has been cremated and will be laid to rest by her loved ones at Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa, Iowa. A memorial service celebrating her life will be announced for August 2026.

View Alice Booze's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

06/11/2026

After a brief, 25 year, hiatus, Mark has dusted off the old trombone…. Come check it out tonight at City Band!!!

06/10/2026

Who is Garden Chapel? What are some options if we don't have a "traditional" funeral? Will someone help me think through all of this?

06/10/2026

Thanks for coming out for Coffee and Conversations! And big thanks to Thistles for making it all beautiful! As always, we’d love to chat and answer any questions you may have.

06/07/2026

Joel Veenstra

Joel Robert Veenstra was born October 10, 1969, to Jerry and Rita Veenstra in Oskaloosa, Iowa.

Joel attended Peoria Christian School, was a 1988 graduate of Pella Christian High School, and also attended Cornell College and Central College.

On July 13, 1991, he was united in marriage to Lynda Engbers. To this union they were blessed with three children: Andrew, Alex and Caitlin. They later divorced.

Throughout his career, he worked at the Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Red Rock, Pella Nursery, J. Farnsworth Pepperdine in New Sharon, Vermeer Corporation, Co-Line Welding, and Ulrich Meat Market.

Joel’s favorite hobby was woodworking. He loved working on any project the kids brought to him or that he came up with himself. He also enjoyed being in the garden. He liked growing anything from flowers to green beans for the local farmers' market. In the time that he wasn’t gardening or woodworking, you could normally find him watching a documentary or drinking a Mountain Dew. His favorite part of all was hanging out with his family, especially his grandson Javen.

Those left to cherish his memory are his family:

Andrew Veenstra, Searsboro

Alex (Kirsten) Veenstra, Oskaloosa

Javen and baby due in November

Caitlin Veenstra, Searsboro

Joel is also survived by his parents Jerry and Rita Veenstra of Pella, and brother Darrell and Angela Veenstra and their sons Blake and Trevor of Lynnville.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to American Stroke Association or the Peoria Christian School.

View Joel Veenstra's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

06/06/2026

Jeanne Ryun

Jeanne Marie Ryun was born May 8, 1963, to William Lewis and Harriet (Wallace) Ryun in Knoxville, Iowa.

Jeanne was a graduate of Pella High School and the American Institute of Business in Des Moines. She worked for Farm Bureau in Des Moines for many years before retiring in 2020.

Jeanne enjoyed reading, puzzles, and word-search, but she loved Goofy, birdwatching and chocolate.

Those left to cherish her memory are her mother Harriet Menninga, and her siblings: Debbie (John) Kelly, Bob Ryun, Kyle Ryun, Tyler Ryun, Lenora Shepperd, and Pearl Menninga. She is also survived by 9 nieces and nephews and 23 great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father Bill (Sue) Ryun, stepfather Andy Menninga, nephew Anthony Sullivan, Floyd and Mildred Wallace, and Mary and Gene Ryun.

Memorials may be given to Ebenezer Church.

View Jeanne Ryun's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

06/04/2026

Vicky Engstrom-Trujillo

Vicky Lynn Engstrom-Trujillo, 68, of Knoxville, Iowa, departed this earthly life for heavenly peace on Sunday, May 31, 2026 at her home in Knoxville, Iowa. She was born on February 28, 1958 in Marion County, Iowa to Linda Mae Rickabaugh and Norman Edward Engstrom. She later gained a bonus father, Robert (Jim) Rickabaugh Sr., when her mother remarried. Throughout her life, she lived out her faith through service to those around her and created lasting memories with those she loved.

She was a member of the Knoxville High School Class of 1976. Vicky was a woman of many talents and interests. She studied Psychology and earned her Associate's Degree from DMACC.

Throughout her life, Vicky pursued many different career paths, but the common thread in all of her work was her desire to help others. Whether offering support, encouragement, comfort, or a listening ear, she left a lasting impression on countless lives. In her younger years, she worked on a golf course in Florida, where she had the chance to meet Arnold Palmer. She later served at a women's shelter, assisting women who had been abused and displaced. She also worked as a cake decorator, helping families celebrate special moments. She supported students in special education, worked as a tracker providing guidance and support to teenagers, and served in the laundry department at the V.A., where her work helped care for those who had served our country. No matter the role, Vicky approached her work with compassion, dedication, and a genuine care for the people around her. The impact she made extended far beyond her job titles and lives on in the many individuals she encouraged, supported, and cared for throughout her life.

March 18, 2005 she married Octaviano "Tavo" Trujillo, with whom she shared a partnership built on faith, family, and love.

When she was younger, Vicky enjoyed caring for and riding her horses. She found joy in nature and loved mushroom hunting, reading, writing, coloring, crafting, cooking, crocheting, working on crossword puzzles, and watching her favorite tv shows and movies. She was an Iowa Hawkeye football fan. She had a desire to travel, explore new places, and try new restaurants and foods. More than anything, she loved spending time with family, playing games, sharing stories, and making those around her smile and laugh. Above all else, her family, and friends who became family, brought her immense joy. She had a gift for making everyone feel welcome and loved.

Anyone who knew Vicky knew that no one ever left her home hungry. Feeding people was one of the many ways she expressed her love. She had a servant's heart and was one of the most generous people you could ever meet. If someone was in need, whether the need was big or small, Vicky would find a way to help. She gave freely of her time, resources, and love without ever expecting anything in return.

Her faith was a guiding force throughout her life and remained strong until the very end.

Of all her accomplishments, Vicky was most proud of her family. One of her most significant roles on this earth was becoming a mother. She cherished her role as wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and it was no secret how proud she was of each of them.

Vicky is survived by her loving husband, Octaviano "Tavo" Trujillo; her children, Michalene Wilson and Dustin Moore (Ashley); her grandchildren, Marissa Williams (Levi), Mirrah Wilson (Boston), and Jonathan Moore; her great-grandchildren, Maeya Wilson and Lennox Williams; her sisters, Lucinda Ammons (Ron) and Leticia Hutchison; nephews, Jake Ammons, Jordy Ammons (Amanda), Gavin Hutchison, Gunner Hutchison, and Roman Ammons, along with many extended family members and dear friends.

View Vicky Engstrom-Trujillo's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

06/04/2026

A reminder to join us at Garden Chapel next Wednesday, June 10 between 8:30 and 10:30 am for Coffee and Conversation!
Have you been wanting to ask us a question about funeral arrangements, funerals or even monuments? Please plan to join us!

05/27/2026

Galen Huff

Galen Harold Huff was born September 16, 1939, to Harold and Genevieve (Erickson) Huff in Nevada, Iowa.

Galen attended school in Nevada, was a 1957 graduate of Nevada High School, and a 1963 graduate of Simpson College with a B.A. in business. He was active in high school singing in choirs, playing tight end in football four years, catcher in baseball and golf team.

On August 11, 1962, he was united in marriage to Virginia Peterson. To this union they were blessed with two daughters Brenda and Sharilyn.

Galen worked at various jobs over the years. He was a surveyor for Ames Engineering for a short time before attending college. He was in sales for Carnation Co. when they moved to Nevada where he helped run his dad’s feed mill and hog buying station. He was a territory manager for Golden Sun and was raising hogs and cattle after they moved to Ackley, Iowa. He became manager for the Nutrena Feed Mill in Ackley. He was always raising hogs, farrowing to finish plus he was an order buyer for cattle and spent months in Wyoming filling orders. When he retired, he drove school bus in Ackley and also when they moved to Wabasha, Minnesota.

Galen enjoyed playing many card games, bridge clubs, golf teams, pool, table tennis, trap shooting, hunting, water sports, snow sports, and loved fishing most of all. His favorite fishing spots were Canada and Lake Michigan.

Galen is survived by his wife Virginia and their family.

Brenda and David Swartz

Haley and Tom Berland

Caleb Berland

Gavin Swartz

Sharilyn and Mike Byram

Grace and Kyle Keesey

Kacey Keesey

Joel Byram

Galen loved his daughters dearly and was so proud of his sons-in-law and his grandchildren and his great grandchildren. They were all his pride and joy.

Galen was preceded in death by his parents and two infant sisters.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation at

https://www.alzdiscovery.org/donate

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05/24/2026

Phyllis Zwank

Phyllis Zwank, a dedicated educator and cherished member of her community, passed away peacefully on May 23, 2026, at Pella Regional Health Center. Born on June 15, 1944, to Bill and Velma (Brezo) Ahnen. Phyllis spent her life cultivating a love of learning and nurturing young minds, primarily through her teaching career in Alden Schools.

Phyllis’s journey in education began with her formative years at Richland Country School and Orient-Macksburg High School, culminating with graduating from Northwest Missouri State University. In addition to earning a degree, this is where she and Ronald Zwank met.

Phyllis was united to Ronald Zwank on August 29, 1965, at a country church in Bridgewater, Iowa. To this union, they were blessed with two sons. Phyllis and Ron, through sixty years of marriage, have learned to “forgive and to ask for forgiveness…and He is faithful to start making us new!”

Faith has always been a large part of Phyllis’ life. Growing up, she attended Avondale Methodist Church in Adair. Most recently, she was involved in many areas of the ministries of First Church in Pella.

Phyllis Zwank’s life reflects a deep commitment to education and community, leaving behind a legacy enriched by her kindness and dedication. Her memory will continue to inspire all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Phyllis and Ron’s Family:

Brad Zwank of Pella

Candace (Jarrod Boone) Zwank

Brandon Zwank

Alexis Zwank

David (Debra) Zwank of Pella

Jakob (Emma) Zwank

Samuel

Holland Zwank

Phyllis is also survived by her sisters: Mary Jane (Robert) Young, and Barb Trieff; and her sisters-in-law Mardell Ahnen and Janet Ahnen. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her brothers: Dean Ahnen and Dallas Ahnen.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Pella Pro-Life or the Our Daily Bread Ministries.

View Phyllis Zwank's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.