Dale Van Ommen, 93, of Oskaloosa, died Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at the MHP Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa. He was born July 19, 1932, near Cedar, Iowa, the son of Dick and Harriet Van Roekel Van Ommen. He graduated from Cedar Consolidated School with the class of 1949. Following school he continued to help on the family farm. On May 29, 1952, he was united in marriage to JoAnn “Joey” Simons at the Central Reformed Church in Oskaloosa. In October of 1952, Dale was inducted into the United States Army. He served until October of 1954 and was honorably discharged as a Sergeant. He returned to the family farm in Mahaska County. He and his brother-in-law, Hank Slagter owned and operated the farm until their retirement in 1999. In retirement Dale worked on the maintenance crew at the Southern Iowa Fairgrounds for many years. He was a talented carpenter and enjoyed helping his family, friends and church with various projects. He was a member of Central Church (former Central Reformed Church) in Oskaloosa where he had served as an elder, deacon, and youth leader. He also served many years on the Diamond Shelter Board in Oskaloosa and was a member of the Oskaloosa American Legion.
His family includes his wife of over 73 years JoAnn “Joey” Van Ommen of Oskaloosa; three children, Douglas Van Ommen of Austin, Texas, Joni (Brent) Vaughn of Baxter, Minnesota, and Diane Van Ommen-Gerard of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; five grandchildren, Jeremy (Jamie) Place, Ryan Place (Lisa Grimm), Philip Vaughn, Alex Gerard, and Sarah Gerard (Jake Herrmann); four great grandchildren, Charlie, Drew, Juniper, and Otis; a sister and her husband, Judy and Gerard DenAdel of Pella; and brothers and sisters in law, Paul (Katherine) Simons, Jr. of Pella and Lee (Carolyn) DeGroot of Oskaloosa; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Jeffery Van Ommen; three sisters, Linda DeGroot, Evelyn (Ray) Cunningham, and JoAnn (Henry) Slagter; two brothers in law, Leonard and Herman; and a sister, Nettie Van Zante.
Funeral services will be held Monday, February 2, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. in the Central Church in Oskaloosa with Reverend Jon Nelson officiating. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery near Leighton. Graveside Military Honor will be given by members of the Oskaloosa Honor Guard. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. Monday, February 2, 2026, at Central Church in Oskaloosa and will continue until service time at 11:00 a.m. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or Central Church. The Van Ommen family wishes to express a heartfelt THANK YOU for the love are care Dale received from his care team at Mahaska Health Partnership.
