October 11, 2023
October 11, 2023
October 10, 2023
Thinking of you on your birthday as always... and the good times that we shared together
Thinking of you on your birthday as always... and the good times that we shared together
Karel Loree Van Gelder went to be with the Lord on January 10th, 2019. Karel passed away peacefully from natural causes in her hometown of West Palm Beach, Florida.
Karel could always be found volunteering, traveling the world, and spending time with friends and family. Karel was an active member of Christ Fellowship, where she volunteered in several ministries, to include but not limited to cancer support groups, church data entry, jail, homeless, foster care, and human trafficking ministries. Additionally, she was a long-time member of NAWIC (National Association of Women in Construction). Karel truly had a servant’s heart.
Karel was loved deeply by her family and many friends, and we will greatly miss her generous and joyful spirit. We will celebrate Karel’s life and love for the Lord on Monday, February 11th at 11:00am. The service will be held at Christ Fellowship Chapel located at 5312 Northlake Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory of Karel can be made to Place of Hope (www.placeofhope.com or 9078 Isaiah Lane, West Palm Beach, FL 33418). Place of Hope is a faith-based organization serving children in foster care, and this ministry was close to Karel’s heart.
You are invited to share stories and pictures of Karel on this website
Tributes
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October 10, 2022
October 10, 2022
Thinking of you on your birthday as always...
January 10, 2022
January 10, 2022
Thinking of you and the wonder times together with family events and the many travels that we shared together. Those memories are indelible and remind me of the good times we shared during your life.
November 12, 2021
November 12, 2021
Sweet Karel....that's who she was to me. I had the pleasure of working with Karel at the WPHA where one day i had an embarrassing situation based on false accusations by another co-worker and when I was called in to the office to meet with the director Karel stood up and said to the director she had to come in with me. She spoke on my behalf and the third party was reprimanded. I never forgot such an unselfish act. During the last few years we spoke about getting together but unfortunately never did and but i didn't give up, so i continued trying to contact her (like today) not knowing she is now sitting by the Lord. When Karel appeared in the Gate of Heaven and the Lord saw her, that's when he said "Let there be Light"......
October 24, 2021
October 24, 2021
On the 80th anniversary of her birth, the memories of Karel remain strong. I posted a picture of us together while traveling in Italy in October 2012. It was a high school trip that Karel had planned - something she did several times. It brought alumni from our school in Italy back to Italy and the places we enjoyed so much while attending school at Camp Darby. The picture was taken in Cinque Terre -- just one of many places that we visited that year on our reunion tour of Italy.
January 11, 2021
January 11, 2021
Thinking of Karel on this 2nd anniversary of her passing. The memories of our time together remain vivid as ever for they are indelible and everlasting.
January 11, 2020
January 11, 2020
You are always in our thoughts, if not every day , at least once a week.
Some word, some picture, or some expression, reminds us of you.
We still miss your laughter and your kind words.
Hope you and Thomas are enjoying each others company once in a while.
Love and miss you,
Hans, Erlene, and Michael
Some word, some picture, or some expression, reminds us of you.
We still miss your laughter and your kind words.
Hope you and Thomas are enjoying each others company once in a while.
Love and miss you,
Hans, Erlene, and Michael
January 10, 2020
January 10, 2020
Thoughts of my sister are with me on this 1st anniversary of her passing. What a delight it was to have her in my life. She was not only my sister, but a wonderful traveling companion whose presence made each trip together that much more enjoyable. Those times together will surely be missed. It's comforting to know that I have those lasting memories to cherish.
October 10, 2019
October 10, 2019
Tonight our life group would have been celebrating with Karel so we will take some time to remember our friend. My life was better because she was my friend.
February 21, 2019
February 21, 2019
Dear Karel,
Why did you leave us so soon??? We will miss your smile, your laughter, your caring words, your visits, your "Tales of The Grandchildren", then the Great Grandchildren.
You were with us many years, Forgive me for missing you. I know you dearly love where you are now!
See Thomas for us and tell him that we miss and love him too.
Good bye , Dear Friend....til we met again.
Hans, Erlene, and Michael
Why did you leave us so soon??? We will miss your smile, your laughter, your caring words, your visits, your "Tales of The Grandchildren", then the Great Grandchildren.
You were with us many years, Forgive me for missing you. I know you dearly love where you are now!
See Thomas for us and tell him that we miss and love him too.
Good bye , Dear Friend....til we met again.
Hans, Erlene, and Michael
February 17, 2019
February 17, 2019
41 years was not long enough to be graced by your beautiful face, your smile and your loving heart, dear Karel. Only wish we had been able to have more time with you but the contact was never lost. Your sparkling personality and joyful spirit lingers with us, still, and always will. Heaven is a little better for your presence. Enjoy God's promise...you have earned it!
January 28, 2019
January 28, 2019
So grateful we spent time with Karel when she came to see us before Christmas. We have great memories of the time we spent together. I can't believe shes gone.
January 26, 2019
January 26, 2019
Karel,
I miss you honey.
Love,
Bert
I miss you honey.
Love,
Bert
January 23, 2019
January 23, 2019
Karel was a wonderful lady that I had the great pleasure of knowing. I met her in 2001 when I joined the Greater Palm Beach chapter of NAWIC (Nat'l Assn of Women in Const.) and she was the chapter president. She is going to be greatly missed by all of us.
January 23, 2019
January 23, 2019
Thank you for being my friend...
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Recent Tributes
October 11, 2023
October 11, 2023
October 10, 2023
Thinking of you on your birthday as always... and the good times that we shared together
Thinking of you on your birthday as always... and the good times that we shared together
October 10, 2022
October 10, 2022
Thinking of you on your birthday as always...
January 10, 2022
January 10, 2022
Thinking of you and the wonder times together with family events and the many travels that we shared together. Those memories are indelible and remind me of the good times we shared during your life.
Gallery
Cinque Terre, Italy - October 2012
Recent stories
January 22, 2019
by Kylie Norman
This picture is the most recent photo of Grandma Karel that I have. It was taken just after Christmas while we were visiting Dustin in Tampa. Our time together this past holiday holds wonderful memories. I will miss her so much, but I’m incredibly grateful for our opportunities to travel and spend time together as a family!
Karel my friend...
January 22, 2019
by Kae Campbell
I don’t quite know where to begin - I am so shocked at the news of Karel’s passing. The last time I saw Karel was 2016 when we drove over to visit her from our winter place in Fort Myers. What a wonderful few days we had and I was planning on calling her in February to see if we could come for another visit this season. This is so surreal for me.
I first met Karel and Art in the early 70’s when I went to work with them at the Ramada On The Green. We were all more like family than friends. Karel stood up with me when I got married. When Art and Karel decided to build the house on Chapel Street - we built the other side. What great times we all had there and in the hotel business. So many memories that I will treasure forever.
Debbie you were just a young girl when I met you. Karel and I always shared stories of our kids when we talked. My prayers go out to you and your family. Karel loved you all so very much.
I don’t know if I will be able to make it over to the memorial service. Debbie if you can write me an email I would like to talk with you if possible.
I am grateful that God placed Karel and I in each other’s lives as friends