Mrs. Bertha Vander Stoep, age 96, of Orange City, passed away on Thursday, March 22, 2012, at the Heritage House Nursing Home in Orange City.
There will be a memorial service on Monday, March 26, at 3:00pm, at the American Reformed Church in Orange City. The Rev. Jonathan Opgenorth will officiate. Interment will be prior to the service at the West Lawn Cemetery in Orange City. There will be a prayer service on Monday, at 2:00pm, at the Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City.
Visitation will be after 2:00pm on Sunday, with the family present from 2:00pm to 4:00pm, at the funeral home.
Bertha Henrietta was born on June 1, 1915, in rural Orange City, the daughter of Henry and Dena (Reinders) Vellinga. She was raised in the Carnes and Middleburg areas.
On February 15, 1937, she married Roy Arthur Vander Stoep in Middleburg. They made their home in Orange City, where she was a homemaker. Roy passed away on August 19, 1994, after more than 57 years of marriage.
In 2008, she moved into the Heritage House, after spending some time at both the Pioneer Memorial Home and Landsmeer Ridge Assisted Living, both in Orange City.
Mrs. Vander Stoep was a very active member of Trinity Reformed Church and the community. Throughout her life she was an avid reader, and she enjoyed discussing world events and politics. She was an excellent seamstress and made many clothes for her daughters, herself and others. She treasured every moment spent with the family. For over 50 years she was a member of the Birthday Club, whose focus was good desserts, good coffee, and great friendships.
Survivors include her two daughters and their husbands, Francine and Marvin Muilenburg, of Orange City; and Diane and Dr. Tim Daniels, of Storm Lake; five grandchildren, Lacey and Matt Jones, of Vernal, Utah; Cora and Matthew Brumlow, of Chicago, Illinois; and Caleb and Amy Vander Broek, Renee Vander Broek, and Michael Vander Broek, and his fiancé, Hannah Bus, all of Orange City; nine great-grandchildren, Sean Muilenburg, Patrick Muilenburg, Kayden and Avery Jones, Cole and Kendall Vande Brake, and Taylor, Christian, and Jaxon Vander Broek; two brothers and their wives, Rodney and Irene Vellinga, of Orange City; and Robert and Mona Vellinga, of Texas; two sisters-in-law, Mary Vellinga and Joy Vellinga Kreykes; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Thomas Vander Broek; a grandson, Matthew Muilenburg; two brothers, John and Harvey Vellinga; and three sisters, Wilma Klopfenstein, Nell Mouw, and Helen Korver.
Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to: www.oolman.com
