Van Rheenen, Mary Irene (DeCook)

VAN RHEENEN, DECOOK, GRANDIA

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 7/18/2005 at 21:08:26

Funeral services for Mary Irene Van Rheenen, 86, of Pella were held December 26 at the Trinity Reformed Church in Pella, the Pastor Norm Kolenbrander officiated. Music was provided by organist Joyce Vos and soloist Paul Davids. A Memorial service was held earlier on December 23 at Garden Chapel in Pella, the Pastor Chris Piersma officiated. Music was provided by organist Lena Vandenberg and a special poem by Randa Van Rheenen.

Interment was at the Porter Grove Cemetery in rural Pella. Casket bearers were her Grandsons - Galen Redshaw, Chad Van Rheenen, Jeff Ruiter, Mike Jansen, John Van Rheenen, Quintin Van Rheenen, Brent Van Hauen and Russ Van Wyk.

Mary Irene DeCook, the daughter of Ira P. and Mary L. (Grandia) DeCook, was born March 8, 1916 in Pella. She grew up in the Pella area and after graduating from Pella High School, she attended Central College.

On February 16, 1938, she was united in marriage with John L. Van Rheenen. To this union, five children were born: Peter, Irvin, Henry, Mary and Rebecca. The family made their home on the farm south of Pella.

John passed away on July 30, 1962. Mary Irene moved to Pella in 1964. She cooked at The Coffee Shop, West End Cafe, and Central College.

Mary Irene was a member of Trinity Reformed Church in Pella and a former member of Ebenezer Reformed Church in Leighton. She sang in the church choir and loved playing the piano and singing hymns.

She moved to Fairhaven in 1999. Mary Irene passed away on Friday, December 20, 2002.

She is survived by four children and their spouses: Irvin and Ethel Van Rheenen of Pella; Henry and Donna Van Rheenen of Pella; Mary (Van Wyk) and Duane Van Maanen of Pella; and Rebecca and Gary Pickens of Bakersfield, Calif.; eleven grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ira P. and Mary L. DeCook; her husband, John L. Van Rheenen; a son, Peter Irvin Van Rheenen was stillborn; a son-in-law, Gene Van Wyk; and her brother, Peter Irvin DeCook.
Arrangements were handled by Garden Chapel in Pella.

Memorials may be made to the Trinity Reformed Church Quilting Group.

The Pella Chronicle, January 21, 2003