Funeral Services for Agnes VanGilder, 95, of Jefferson will be 10:30 am Friday, April 24, 2009 at the First United Methodist Church in Jefferson.  Interment will be in the Jefferson Cemetery.  Visitation will begin after 11:00 am Thursday, April 23, 2009 at Slininger-Rossow Funeral Home in Jefferson with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.  Memorials are suggested to the Greene County Medical Center Auxiliary or the First United Methodist Church in Jefferson.

Agnes Annabelle Stewart Van Gilder was born October 30, 1913 in Churdan, Iowa to William P. and Olive M. (Shriver) Stewart. Agnes began school in Churdan and later graduated from what is now known as Des Moines North high school in 1931 after her family had moved there. She continued her education at the Des Moines School of Business.

She worked in Des Moines until the time of her marriage to Pete Van Gilder. The couple was united in marriage on December 16, 1933 and made their home on a farm in Polk County.

In 1945 Pete and Agnes moved to a farm near Jefferson and continued grain and livestock farming until 1981 when the couple retired and moved to Jefferson. Together, they enjoyed Square Dancing and wouldn’t miss a dance on Saturday night in White’s basement. Upon retiring Agnes continued to be active in her service to the Medical Center’s Auxiliary (Pink Ladies), Bridge clubs, and gardening. Agnes would not let a daily newspaper get by her without the Crossword puzzle being filled in. As long as her fingers would allow Agnes would knit sweaters, afghans, mittens, stocking caps and those comfy house slippers that would never slip off your feet that only she seemed to know how to make. She loved working outside, planting seeds, pulling weeds, canning and freezing the fruits of her labor and picking up sticks and leaves in the yard for a glorious bonfire. Every year at county fair time you could count on walking into the horticulture building and find Agnes keeping watch over everyone’s flower entrees. Agnes was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Jefferson and an enthusiastic Circle member.

Agnes passed away on April 20, 2009 at the Greene County Medical Center in Jefferson.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Pete and one brother Merle Stewart.

She is survived by her sons Charles and his wife Pat of Pleasant Hill, Kenneth and his wife Marie of Lynchburg, Virginia, and Donald and his wife Jean of Jefferson; her grandchildren; Cynthia Garrety of Boxholm, Diana Kay Van Gilder of Ankeny, Charlie Van Gilder of Glendale, Arizona, Mark Van Gilder of Forest, Virginia., Todd Van Gilder of Lynchburg, Virginia., Ryan Van Gilder and Scott Van Gilder of Boulder, Colorado; her great grandchildren Tony Grieser, Adam Grieser, Tyler Grieser and CarolAnn Van Gilder.