Newton Union Cemetery
Jasper County, Iowa

Sec 3 | Lot 207 | Block 18

Helen was the oldest of four children born to Orville Norton Messenger and Charlotte Emma Stochl. She was born in Wellman, Iowa.

Gerry was the oldest of four children born to Jacob Arie Van Dyke and Barbara De Reus. He was born in Pella, Iowa.

The two were married on the 4th anniversary of their first date, October 3, 1939 in Newton. They had three children and lived in Iowa and Wisconsin before Gerry died in a tragic drowning accident in 1956 in North Carolina.

Helen returned to Iowa after Gerry's death, raised her children and lived the rest of her life there. Gerry's original government stone is also in this cemetery and is next to the double stone created for them after Helen's death.