Theresa Julia De Reus Bensink

BOSHUIZEN, BENSINK, DE REUS, KIPLE, RIETVELD

Posted By: Gayle Van Dyke (email)
Date: 12/15/2014 at 18:26:13

September 27, 1878 - July 8, 1956

Mrs. Gradus Bensink, nee Theresa Julia De Reus, daughter of Nelis and Elizabeth Boshuizen De Reus, was born September 27, 1878 on a farm north of Pella.

On Sunday morning, July 8th at 9:55 a.m. God took her by the hand and led her home. She had attained the age of 77 years, 9 months and 11 days.

On November 12, 1903, she was united in marriage to Gradus Bensink who preceded her in death on May 16, 1942. She was also preceded in death by her parents, a brother, a sister, and a grand-daughter and a stepson, Arie G. Bensink. Surviving her are her daughter, Mrs. Clif Kiple of Ottumwa, 3 stepsons, Henry, David and William Bensink and one step-daughter, Mrs. Lizzie Rietveld all of Pella. Also 6 sisters, one brother, 11 grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.

She spent her entire life in the Pella Community until 1944, when she went to live in the home of her daughter and family in Ottumwa, Iowa. In 1952 she entered the Dykstra Nursing Home in Oskaloosa where she resided until the time of her death.

In early life she was a member of the Bethel Reformed Church north of Pella and later of the First Reformed Church in Pella. She was a faithful and devoted worker, giving feely of her time and talent, to the service of her Lord in whom she professed implicit Faith. For many years she was an active member of the League for Service of the First Reformed Church and of the Central College Auxiliary. Although incapacitated by illness in recent years, she always remained cheerful and contented.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, July 10, 1956 at 3 p.m., from the Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home. The Rev. Russell J. Redeker officiated and interment was in Oakwood Cemetery. Mrs. Robert Heerema and Mrs. Marvin Tysseling sang "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" and "Safe in the Arms of Jesus" accompanied by Katherine De Koning at the organ. Serving as casket bearers were Arie Klyn, Wiggert Roorda, Ed Plette, John C. De Bruin, Jacob Bogaards and James Veenman.

The Pella Chronicle, July 12, 1956, page 6

------------
Card of Thanks

We wish to express our sincere appreciation to all of our friends for the sympathy extended to us in the bereavement of our mother, Mrs. Gradus Bensink. We are very grateful for all the lovely flowers, kind words and consideration. Especially we would like to thank Mr. and Mrs. Dick Dykstra of Oskaloosa in whose home she resided the last 4-1/2 years, and who gave her such patient and loving care. -- The Family.

The Pella Chronicle, July 12, 1956, page 5