Edna Jongerius age 89, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, formerly of Rock Rapids, Iowa, died Thursday, October 31, 2024, at Ava’s House in Sioux Falls.
Visitation will be Friday, November 22nd from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids.
The funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 23rd at First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to MomCo of Lyon County, First Reformed Church, 512 S Union Street, Rock Rapids, IA 51246.
The Jurrens Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements for Edna Jongerius.
On January 4, 1935, Edna Van Der Weerd was born to Maggie (Buyert) and John Van Der Weerd on a farm in Lyon County, Iowa. When her father died seven years later, Edna and her younger sister benefitted from the sacrifice and hard work of their older siblings who assumed responsibility for running the farm and parenting the younger girls.
After graduating from Central Lyon High School in 1953 she married Willis Jongerius. Following time in the Army they moved to Ames, Iowa where Edna put Willis through Iowa State University by working as a pharmacy technician.
They settled in Rock Rapids, Iowa where they raised three children. Edna and Willis both enjoyed the luxury of Edna being a stay-at-home mom. Like many in her generation, she spent a lifetime serving the church, caring for neighbors and holding down the home front. While she enjoyed Bible studies, teaching catechism to students and hosting around her dining room table, she was particularly fulfilled in her role as a mentor to Mothers of Preschoolers (MoPs).
Edna was open-minded and theologically curious. She loved to read and enjoyed learning from her children and grandchildren through their experiences and beliefs. Her love was expressed through meals and sweet treats which she generously shared. She was strong and stubborn – a strength when an indomitable spirit was required, and at times a frustration to others.
Like her mother, Edna had a rather bawdy sense of humor and enjoyed laughing with people who had the same. She knew just enough Dutch to be dangerous, and taught her kids poems and sayings that were questionable in authenticity, but became rooted in the family lexicon.
She was an advocate for women in church leadership, and accepted the call to be the first female elder at First Reformed Church. Willis was one of her strongest supporters as she broke ground in that way.
In 2012 Willis and Edna moved to Westport Inn in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. This brought her geographically closer to her siblings, while staying connected to Rock Rapids friends through their on-going communication and visits. Willis died on January 6, 2016.
Edna endured five separate encounters with cancer. Each time she was the recipient of much love, care and prayers from her siblings, church family, and friends. She was expressly grateful for the many good people around her who invested in her wellness, including many of the staff at Westport, Sanford Hospital and Ava’s Hospice House. The family expresses genuine gratitude to all who helped Edna live her best life.
Throughout her life, Edna’s faith was the root of a sure and certain hope. This hope led her to pray daily for her children, grandchildren and many others. Hope in Christ also led her to comment often that she was not afraid of death. When she was diagnosed with cancer the fifth time, she denied further treatment and commented that she was ready to “get on with it”. Her last act of hope occurred at Ava’s Hospice House when she died on October 31, 2024, at the age of 89.
Survivors include children: Patrice Unekis of Rock Rapids, Iowa, Kama (Steve DeYoung) Jongerius of Holland, Michigan and Tim (Ruth) Jongerius of Waukee, Iowa. Grandchildren: Rachel (Greg) Unekis Poches, Daniel (Kari) Bechtel Unekis, Mark Unekis, Zoe Jongerius Zuidema, Hava Jongerius Zuidema, Matthew Jongerius and Kaylee Jongerius. Sisters: Wilma DeRoo, Henrietta Timmer and Mae Tinklenberg. In-law siblings: Gerald (Judy) Jongerius, Helen VandeBroek, and Glenda (Arlin) Brenneman. Edna was predeceased by her husband, Willis, siblings Jeanette Top and Henry VanDerWeerd, and her siblings’ spouses.
