Brouwer, Martha 1910-2003

BROUWER, VANDE VIS, WILLEMSEN, VAN WEELDEN, VANDER VELDEN

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 6/23/2005 at 21:41:15

PELLA -- Martha Brouwer, 93, of Pella, formerly of Sully, died Sunday, Dec. 7, at Pella Regional Health Center -- Long Term Care Unit in Pella.

Funeral services will be held Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at the Third Reformed Church in Pella with the Rev. Kevin Korver and the Rev. John Vandenberg officiating. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Pella. Garden Chapel Funeral Home in Pella is handling arrangements.

The daughter of John W. and Aleida C. (Vande Vis) Brouwer, she was born Nov. 13, 1910, in Barneveld, Gelderland, The Netherlands. When she was 8 years old, her family came to the United States. She attended schools in Holland and then Sully Christian Grade School where she completed the eighth grade.

On Jan. 19, 1933, she married Joe Willemsen in Otley. They farmed for many years north of Otley, then in 1967 moved to Pella. After moving to Pella, the couple worked for Rolscreen and Central College. She enjoyed gardening, working with flowers, reading and visiting with friends. She was a member of various women's societies while a member of Otley Reformed Church. She also taught Bible school at her church. She recently was a member of the Third Reformed Church in Pella.

Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Sandra and Ron Van Weelden of Otley; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren; three step-great-great-grandchildren; three brothers, John W., Garrett and Wilfred "Bill" Brouwer; and one sister, Henrietta Vander Velden.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; a son, Henry; and an infant daughter, Alice Jean; four brothers, Henry, Arnold, Allen, John W. "Johnny;" and one sister, Gertrude Willemsen.

Newton Daily News, Newton, IA, Wednesday, December 10, 2003