Gladys Marie Nelson Van Donkelaar

Gladys Marie Nelson VanDonkelaar age 77 of McBee, South Carolina went to her heavenly home on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.

Gladys was born May 5,1948 in Owosso, Michigan. The daughter of the late Reverend Bob and Thelma (House) Nelson. She graduated from Holland High School in 1966, went to college in Detroit and became a medical assistant. Gladys enjoyed scrapbooking, crochet, playing piano and spending time with family and friends. She married the love of her life, Reverend Roger P. VanDonkelaar on October 7, 1967 at Butternut Dr. Pilgrim Holiness Church in Holland, Michigan. Gladys worked alongside her husband in the ministry for 55 years in Michigan, Illinois and Ohio.

Left to cherish to her memory are her son Rodney and April VanDonkelaar, her grandchildren, Tiffany VanDonkelaar, Caleb and (Ashlyn) VanDonkelaar, Her great grandson's Colt VanDonkelaar and James VanDonkelaar; siblings Bob and (Jan) Nelson, Dan and (Chris) Nelson, brother in law, Adrian and (Denise) VanDonkelaar, sister in law, Sandra Merritt, many loving nieces and nephews.

She was Preceded in death by her parents, Rev. Bob and Thelma Nelson and her husband, Reverend Roger P. VanDonkelaar.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on October 26th at 11:00am, at The Leland Lodge 565 Pearl Street, Leland, MI 49654. Lunch will be served following the services. A private family service will take place at The Kilwy Family Cemetery in Cedar, Michigan. If you cannot attend please join us for a live stream of Gladys celebration on her Facebook page.

A request of the family in memory of Mrs. Van Donkelaar send donations to the American Diabetes Association. P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023

"Forever loved, forever remembered"