Bandstra, Gerdena Van Ryswyk – 1917-2010

BANDSTRA, DE PENNING, KLOOSTERMAN, MAASDAM, PODKOVICH, RICHARDSON, ROSS, VAN DUSSELDORP, VAN RYSWYK, VORE

Posted By: JCGS Volunteer
Date: 5/22/2010 at 21:10:09

Gerdena Van Ryswyk Bandstra was born on Dec. 16, 1917, to Dick and Catherine Kloosterman Van Ryswyk near Prairie City, Iowa. She received her early education at the Garden Hall Country School near the family home.
On Feb. 9, 1938, Gerdena was united in marriage with Dick Bandstra at the home of her parents south of Taintor, Iowa. They were blessed with seven children: Arvin, Judith, Carrol, Betty, Shirley, Alice and Marcia.
Gerdena was an active farm wife and loved caring for her family. She also enjoyed the time spent with extended family and friends. Gerdena was a great seamstress, enjoyed doing handwork, quilting, crocheting, working with flowers, music, playing the piano, gardening and canning produce from her garden. Gerdena was a member of the First Reformed Church in Pella where she was active part of a women’s Bible Study group.
Gerdena died the evening of May 14, 2010, at the Knoxville Hospital and Clinic at the age of 92.
Those left to cherish her memory are her six children, Arvin and Connie Bandstra of Pella, Judy and Lorence Van Dusseldorp of Pella, Carrol and Carolyn Bandstra of New Sharon, Betty and Ivan Maasdam of Oskaloosa, Shirley and Mike Vore of Oskaloosa and Alice and Gary Richardson of Newton; many great-grandchildren; a sister, Mabel Podkovich of Bellevue, Neb.; and her brothers-in-law, Jim Bandstra of Peoria, Iowa, and Andrew Bandstra of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dick, in 2001; her daughter, Marcia Ruth Bandstra; a daughter-in-law, Evelyn Joyce Bandstra; a grandson, Richard Owen Bandstra; a granddaughter, Sarah Ruth Vore; a brother, Clarence Van Ryswyk; and two sisters, Evelena De Penning and Leona Ross.
Funeral services were held on May 14, 2010, at the First Reformed Church in Pella. Burial took place at the Stewart Cemetery near Taintor, Iowa. The Pella Garden Chapel Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Source: Newton Daily News; Tuesday, May 18, 2010