The Klok family’s decision to relocate to this central Iowa community known for embracing its Dutch heritage started with a scavenger hunt.
Trisha and Raymond Klok’s first visit to Pella, Iowa, was a pastry-inspired college visit detour.
Trisha’s son Spencer was interested in studying architecture, and a colleague suggested they check out the top-tier undergraduate program at Iowa State University in Ames. People there encouraged the family to add a stop in Pella to their journey from Joplin, Missouri, after hearing Raymond’s Dutch accent. Raymond grew up in the Netherlands, and they were intrigued to see how Iowa compared.
Trisha pre-ordered Dutch letters and other goodies from Jaarsma Bakery, but didn’t know what else to expect.
“The moment we drove into Pella, we got this feeling,” Trisha said. “We instantly fell in love.”
Founded in 1847 by Dutch immigrants, the community of 11,000 continues to celebrate its heritage through cultural attractions and annual events such as Kings Day and the Tulip Time Festival each May. Trisha and Raymond packed authentic wooden shoes from the Netherlands to wear for the trip—a Frisian touch that helped them fit right in.
The Klok’s visit took place during the summer of 2020, when tourism relied on self-serve options like a scavenger hunt. The quest took them through gorgeous gardens, past a musical Klokkenspel clock tower modeled after the one in Raymond’s birthplace, and included a stop at the town cemetery, which was filled with familiar names. The meaningful emotional connection Raymond felt to Pella prompted a serious conversation, opening a new chapter in their lives.
“That first evening in Pella, we talked and decided that we wanted to move there,” Raymond said. Two days after returning to Missouri, they made plans to put their house on the market. “(Pella)’s not the Netherlands, but it’s a little piece of home I hadn’t experienced anywhere else in America. Pella was where both our worlds came together.”
Trisha and Raymond thought they’d bring traditional baked goods back from Pella to share with family. They started house-hunting in Iowa, instead. Four months after their visit, the Klok family made what they consider to be the best move of their lives and officially became Iowans.
Volunteering yields instant connection
Within the first few months of moving, the couple plugged into volunteer opportunities—like giving tours of the Pella Historical Village’s Vermeer Windmill and on a committee planning community events. Trisha grew up in a small Midwest town and knew getting involved was a great way to meet new neighbors and a shortcut to feeling ingrained in a tight-knit community.
“Being new to this town, what better way to meet friends than to work alongside them as you’re planning fun events for Pella?” Trisha said. “Everyone was so welcoming. It was incredible to have that feeling and it cemented our decision during those first months. This was a huge step for us. We totally uprooted our lives completely and moved during a time when things were very unsure.”
Her advice for other potential relocators draws from her own experiences:
“Get in and participate in town events,” she said. “That’s the best way to get to know people and to find those people who have common interests.”
Improving quality of life in Iowa
Five years after their move, the leap is paying off, personally and professionally. The couple love shopping on the historic square, grabbing lunch at The Bread Board and dinner at spots like Liberty Street Kitchen and de Kelder Speakeasy, and visiting the movie theater
They continue to volunteer their time, and both are currently employed by Vermeer Corporation, one of Iowa’s agricultural and construction equipment manufacturers. Landing at a company with Vermeer’s stability and growth potential adds to the balance they’ve found living in Iowa.
“Trisha has been making strides and earning promotions in the last couple of years, and I’m now in a spot where I’m happy where I am,” Raymond said.
The company’s commitment to caring for team members impresses Trisha most.
“From the onsite pharmacy and other health benefits to the company’s investment in career development, Vermeer has created an exceptional workplace culture,” she said.
During their time off and thanks to a new camper, the Kloks are getting to know the rest of the state. They started with Maquoketa, Dubuque, and Clinton in Iowa’s Driftless area, and are working their way west from the Mississippi to the Missouri River.
Orange City, another Iowa community with strong Dutch heritage, is still on their bucket list.
“I’ve heard of so many amazing places to visit,” Trisha said. “What was probably the most surprising about Iowa is that there is so much to go do and see and explore.”
