Roorda, Josephine (Vander Peut)

ROORDA, VANDER PEUT, WILLEMSEN

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 7/18/2005 at 20:40:15

Funeral services for Josephine Roorda, 86, of Oskaloosa were held January 4 at the First Church of the Nazarene in Oskaloosa, the Rev. Ralph Sprunk officiated. Burial was in the Oakwood Cemetery in Pella.

Josephine (Mrs. Merlin) Roorda was born May 30, 1916 at Sully, the daughter of Chris and Jennie Willemsen Vander Peut. When she was four years old, her mother died, and she was raised by her maternal grandparents, Henry and Johanna Willemsen at Otley.

On October 30, 1938, she was married to Merlin M. Roorda. Together they farmed near Bussey for 50 years, and moved into Oskaloosa in 1989.

She was a faithful member of the First Church of the Nazarene and taught a Sunday school class for over 40 years, and had been named teacher of the year at the Iowa District campgrounds in Des Moines. She passed away Wednesday, January 1, 2003, at the Pella Regional Health Center in Pella.

She is survived by her husband, Merlin Roorda of Oskaloosa; two daughters: Jeanne Van Houweling of Des Moines and Janice (and Rev. Gary) Carr of Three Rivers, Mich.; five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother: Albert Vander Peut.

Arrangements were handled by Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa.

Memorials may be made to her church.

The Pella Chronicle, January 31, 2003