Kolenbrander, Freda (Terpstra) 1910-2006

KOLENBRANDER, TERPSTRA, BEINTEMA

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 12/10/2006 at 19:40:57

Freda Pearl Terpstra was born on December 7, 1910, on a farm near Galesburg, Iowa to Albert and Henrietta Beintema Terpstra.

Most of her education was received in the Pella Public Schools in Pella, Iowa and she graduated from State Center High School at State Center, Iowa. Freda attended Central College in Pella and completed her formal education at the State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Freda then taught school in Melbourne, Iowa for several years.

On June 17, 1936, she was united in marriage with Henry William Kolenbrander at Galesburg and to this union four children were born: Joan Elaine, Norman Lee, Judith Kaye and Marcia Jean.

Freda and her husband, Rev. Henry W. Kolenbrander, who was ordained into the ministry of the Reformed Church in America that year, moved to Corsica, South Dakota where they began their ministry together. Other churches they served were in Middleburg, Iowa; Firth, Nebraska; Guelph, Ontario, Canada; Inwood, Iowa and Chandler, Minnesota.

After their retirement in 1974 they returned to Pella, Iowa. Freda and Henry were privileged to enjoy 65 years of marriage and on December 23, 2001, he went home to be with his Lord at the age of 94 years. Following his death Freda moved to Hilltop Manor North in Pella where she resided until the time of her death.

Freda went home to be with her Lord on Friday morning, November 24, 2006, while being cared for at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House in Pella at the advanced age of 95 years, 11 months and 17 days. Her family was her pride and joy.

Those left to honor her memory are her four children and their spouses, eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. They and their families are: Joan E. and Wayne Koele of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Norman L. and Joyce (Elzinga) Kolenbrander of Pella, Iowa; Judith K. and Larry Braskamp of Chicago, Illinois; Marcia J. and Ken Venables of Ottumwa, Iowa. Freda was preceded in death by her husband, Henry W. Kolenbrander; her parents: Albert and Henrietta Terpstra and was the last surviving member of her original family of three sisters: Sybil Schnug, Grace Schnug, and Dorothy Kaufman and a brother, Doward Terpstra.

She was also preceded in death by her parents-in-law: Gerrit B. and Cornelia Hollebrands Kolenbrander and their siblings: Johanna Ver Meer, Rachel Van Dusseldorp, Dick J. Kolenbrander, Laurina Kool, Elias Kolenbrander, Rev. William B. Kolenbrander, James J. Kolenbrander, Janet De Kock, Angeline Van Rheenen and Berdena Van Rheenen.

At the time of her death Freda was a member of the Third Reformed Church in Pella, Iowa.

For those desiring, the family prefers memorials to the Christian Opportunity Center or the Hospice of Pella Comfort House in Pella.

The Pella Chronicle, December 8, 2006