Nikkel, Nellie (De Jong)

NIKKEL, DE JONG, TILMA

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 7/18/2005 at 20:28:17

Funeral service for Nellie Nikkel, 79, of Pella were held Tuesday, May 13, 2003 at First Christian Reformed Church, in Pella, the Rev. Harvey Brink, officiating. Music was provided by organist Mrs. Edith Meppelink and soloist Rev. Harvey Brink.

Interment was at the Oakwood Cemetery in Pella.Casket bearers were Greg Dahm, Doug De Jong, Gary De Jong, Scott De Jong, Jay Ver Meer, Steve Ver Meer.

Nellie Elaine De Jong was born on May 21, 1923 on a farmstead southwest of Otley. She was the third of seven children that were born to Gerrit D. and Rena Tilma De Jong. Nellie was baptized and made profession of her faith in the Otley Christian Reformed Church in Otley.

Nellie attended the Liberty Corner Country Grade School and graduated from the eighth grade. After helping her parent's on the farm for several years, she left her home and attended the Ottumwa Beautician's School at Ottumwa and graduated with a license to practice cosmetology and hair styling. She operated the Pella Beauty Salon for many years along with a salon in her home at Sully.

Nellie then moved to Pella where she lived at various dwellings the remainder of her lifetime. She worked for the overall factory for a number of years before retiring to various part-time jobs to keep her busy. In 1983 she moved to the Pella Manor where she remained a resident until 1999. In August of 2001 she moved to the Long Term Care Unit of the Pella Regional Health Center and passed away on Saturday morning, May 10. Nellie was a faithful member of the First Christian Reformed Church in Pella where she was active in the Helping Hands Society for many years.

Nellie is survived by her two sisters: Cora Dahm and Effie Vermeer and her husband John H. Vermeer; and two brothers: Frank De Jong and his wife Naomi and John J. De Jong; along with two sisters-in-law, Marilyn (Gerald) De Jong and Estellene (Dick) De Jong all of whom reside in Pella. "Aunt Cubbie" also leaves 15 special nieces and nephews and their extended families of whom she was very fond of.

Nellie was preceded in death by her father, Gerrit D. De Jong, who died in 1976 and her mother Rena, who died in 1978; two brothers Dick A. De Jong who died in 1972, and Gerald J. De Jong who died in 2000; and a brother-in-law, Arie Dahm who died in 1987.

For those desiring, memorials may be given to the Helping Hands Mission Society of the First Christian Reformed Church in Pella.

Funeral arrangements were handled by Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home in Pella.

The Pella Chronicle, May 20, 2003