84 year old, Gwendolyn VanKeppel, of DeMotte, passed away January 8, 2014. On July 23, 1929, Gwendolyn was born to Casper and Grace (nee: DeFries) Belstra in Rensselaer, Indiana. Gwen graduated from DeMotte High School and was a bookkeeper for local businesses. She married Bernard VanKeppel on January 27, 1950 in DeMotte, Indiana. Gwen is survived by her children: Nancy Hospers and Karl (Jacqueline) VanKeppel, 4 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, and sisters: Florence Riley, Anna Mae (Herb) Ruissard, and Marion (Ted) Hathaway.

Gwen was preceded in death by her husband: Bernard, son-in-law: Gene Hospers, brothers: Edwin Belstra, Albert K. ‘Bud’ Belstra, Herman Belstra, and Gene Belstra. Friends are invited to visit with the family on Friday, January 10, 2014 from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the First Christian Reformed Church in DeMotte, Indiana. Services for Gwen will take place at the church on Saturday, January 11, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Laryn Zoerhof officiating. Interment will follow at the Holland Cemetery, DeMotte, Indiana. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the DeMotte Food Pantry and DeMotte Christian School. Boersma Funeral Home of Wheatfield has been entrusted with these arrangements.