Lourens, Esther (De Vries) 1921-2008

LOURENS, DE VRIES, VAN ZANTE

Posted By: Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/12/2008 at 14:27:05

FUNERAL SERVICES: 10:00 A.M. Saturday, March 8, 2008, Trinity Reformed Church, Pella, Iowa
VISITATION: After 2:00 P.M., Friday, March 7, 2008, Family present 5:00-7:00 P.M. Garden Chapel Funeral Home, Pella, Iowa
MEMORIALS: Coral Ridge Ministry, Hospice of Jasper County, Hospice of Pella

Esther June Lourens, the daughter of Andrew and Nellie (Van Zante) De Vries was born June 21, 1921, in Grundy Center, Iowa. She passed away on Wednesday, March 5, 2008 at the Skiff Medical Center-Monarch Wing at the age of eighty-six.
Esther graduated from Prairie City Community High School in 1942. She attended a two-year education course at Central College in Pella, Iowa, thereafter becoming a school teacher at Jeffries Elementary Country School in Prairie City.

On July 31, 1947, Esther was united in marriage with Orie Lourens at her home in Mitchellville, Iowa. To this union five daughters were born. Orie and Esther made their home near Prairie City where they farmed for forty-five years. Esther taught school for two years at the Christian School in Prairie City. She was also a substitute school teacher throughout her years while living in Prairie City.

In 1992 Orie and Esther moved to Pella where they made their home for eleven years. Shortly after Orie's death in 2003, Esther moved to the Pella Manor. Because of failing health, she later moved to the home of her daughter, Judy Lourens, in Monroe.

Esther was a member of Trinity Reformed Church in Pella, Golden Hour Sunday School Class, and Ladies Aid Society. She was also active in many church functions as well as working in the church library. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, knitting, crocheting, crafts, baking, camping, and spending time with her family and friends.

Esther is survived by her five daughters: Nancy and Roger Van Vark of Otley, Mary and Ray Pothoven of Pella; Judy Lourens and her friend, Toby Lutes of Monroe, Kathy Lourens of Monroe, and Sherry and Michael Feldman of Urbandale; ten grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; one brother, John Martin De Vries of Pella; two sisters: Margery Dykema of Strasburg, North Dakota, and Leona Byma of Sunnyside, Washington.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Orie on July 29, 2003; four brothers: Lester, Arthur Paul, Harold, and Edward De Vries; an infant sister, Martha De Vries; and twin grandsons, Nile and Noah Feldman.

Esther will be greatly missed by her family, friends and all those who knew her.

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