A Race Well Run

My beloved wife Mary went to be with her Savior and King a few weeks ago. What a merciful and loving God I serve, who allowed me to share life with this beautiful saint, who was my helper, counselor, confidant, friend, lover and companion for 41 years. Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord, dancing now and clothed with gladness.  I miss you profoundly, but am so happy for you! I will see you in a little while. 

Here's Mary's obituary and you can find it an a tribute video at...

https://www.celebratelifeiowa.com/obituary/663763/mary-vanderkley/wall/

Mary Helen VanderKley, at the age of 65, entered with joy into the presence of her Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday, July 9th, 2024.

Mary was born on March 16th , 1959, to Donald and Lois (Garrison) Stermer in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She grew up near Scotts, Michigan working
alongside her parents, four sisters and three brothers on the family farm, learning the ethics of hard work, kindness, generosity and love, and graduating from Portage Central High School in 1977. Mary then traveled to Texas, earning a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from Texas Women's University in 1985. She worked as a Physical Therapist in Rehab and Home Nursing settings for many years, showing special care and concern for all her patients. 

During this time Mary met her future husband Paul VanderKley, and they were united in marriage on December 26, 1986. Mary and Paul began their married life in Augusta, Michigan, but soon moved to the Upper Peninsula, starting their family with children Emily and Alexander. She was a loving wife and a caring mother, who made their home a comfortable, happy refuge.

Both Mary and Paul came to saving faith in Jesus Christ in 1996, and together they shared a passion for evangelism and gospel outreach that continued all her life. She shared many adventures with Paul, including their public ministry at the Des Moines Farmers Market and local gospel outreach at the annual Oktemberfest and the Holiday Stroll festivals in Marshalltown.

Mary enjoyed spending time with family and friends in Marshalltown, Iowa, where she resided for the last 18 years. She loved her grandchildren Ryan and Taylor dearly, and attended their many activities and events, always with a special gift or favorite treat to share. Mary also planned a family reunion each year to Gravel Lake Michigan, complete with sunset boat rides, themed dinners, quality time with her siblings and making breakfast and many desserts with her grandchildren. Despite being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, and other health concerns throughout adulthood, Mary remained active in her church and community. Mary loved Jesus and wanted those around her to know His love.

Mary ministered tirelessly to the Karen and Karenni ethnic people groups in Marshalltown, helping with medical appointments, school registrations, the purchase of homes and management of bills. Even through many years of illness and treatment she was a beautiful woman, inside and out, and took time to reach out to her doctors, nurses, and fellow cancer patients with the message of God's love and the hope of the gospel.

A race well run, Mary is survived by her husband of 37 years Paul VanderKley, daughter Emily (Todd) Briles, son Alexander VanderKley and grandchildren Ryan and Taylor Mae Briles. She is also survived by all her siblings, Linda (Rick) Stermer, Ellen Stermer, Susan (Steve) Stermer, Donald (Jodi) Stermer, Tom (Kat) Stermer, Karen Stermer and Jon (Rochelle) Stermer; nieces and nephews Donnie, Joey, Andy and Robbie Stermer, Ian Naas and Olivia (Nicholas) Jones, and Adam and Megan Daniluk.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Lois Stermer, and brother-in-law Chuck Verney.

A service to celebrate Mary's life will be held at Grace Church in Marshalltown, Iowa on Tuesday, July 23rd. Family visitation hours are 10:00-11:30 a.m., with the funeral service to begin at 11:30 a.m. A graveside service will take place at Highland Memory Garden Cemetery in Des Moines, Iowa on Wednesday July 24th at 11:00 a.m.

The family expresses gratitude for the support and condolences during this challenging time. Mary's legacy will live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her. 

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me, and gave Himself for me."

Galatians 2:20

 

Why We Give Away....

In Matthew 10:8 Jesus told his disciples, " Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye received, freely give." In the context of Matthew's gospel, these were affirming miracles demonstrating to Israel that Jesus of Nazareth was the promised Messiah spoken of in the Old Testament. But the theme of freely giving out what God has given us applies for a disciple of Jesus today. 

I have been given the gift of eternal life because of what Jesus Christ has done for me 2000 years ago on Calvary's cross. Although the religion of my youth taught me I had to work for eternal life - to earn it - the Bible teaches quite the opposite.

Ephesians 2:8-11 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." By the grace of God, Jesus paid the penalty of sin for all men. God made a way of escape through trusting in the finished work of his son, and I said yes to that nearly 28 years ago. I received that gift, and now I live to give it away to everyone around me. That's why we give away:

• Bibles, so others can read about this fantastic gift God wants to give to them.
• Gospel books, tracts, and DVDs, for the same reason.
• Halloween bags of candy with gospel tracts, using this holiday that so often celebrates darkness to point people to the Light of the World. 
• Hot chocolate & Christmas candy cane cards with the real meaning of Christmas attached.
• Our time, helping people around us with real-life problems, so they experience the goodness & kindness of God.
• Our money, to bless people around us & show the love of God to them.
• Finances for missionaries & ministries, so they can take the gift of eternal life all over the world.
• Time on the streets, reaching out with this gift to our neighbors & fellow human beings.
• Time on our knees, praying for the needs of our brothers & sisters in Christ, and for those who don't know Him (yet!).

So yeah, God gave me what I needed, not what I deserve, and tells me to go give it away. And this isn't something new, it is the history of the followers of Jesus since he spoke those words above to his disciples. If you found this website, I hope you received something like this from us. Most of all that you too would receive freely the life eternal God wants for you...it's still available, and still free.

Revelation 22:17 "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."