Bonnema, Harriet Joyce (Rensink)

BONNEMA, RENSINK, PETERS

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 7/20/2005 at 23:19:50

Funeral services for Harriet Joyce Bonnema, 74, of Pella, who died Thursday April 1 at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House in Pella, were held Tuesday, April 6, at Third Reformed Church in Pella. Rev. Kevin Korver, officiated the service. Mrs. Judy Steenhoek was organist and vocals.

Interment was at Oakwood Cemetery in Pella. Casket bearers were Loren Bonnema, Austin Bonnema, Jay Schaap, Brad Schaap, Mike Vander Wert, Stephen Vander Wert and Nathan Vander Wert. Honorary bearer was Aaron Bonnema.

Harriet Joyce Rensink was born on October 10, 1929 on a farm near Newkirk, Iowa. She was oldest of two children who were born to Arthur J. and Nina Peters Rensink. Joyce, as she was known, attended and graduated from Newkirk High School with the Class of 1947. While at a church social, she met a young lad named Donald Lemuel Bonnema who asked to take her home, and have been together ever since.

Following their courtship, Don and Joyce were united in marriage on March 22, 1951 at the Newkirk Reformed Church in Newkirk.

In 1959 the family moved to Pella, where they would reside the remainder of Joyce's life. She began working at the Pella Community Hospital in September of 1968 in the dietary department. Joyce retired from there in 1992 after 24 years of service. Joyce was a giving and servant hearted woman.

Those who will celebrate her tender and gentle spirit are her husband of 53 years, Don, their son and two daughters along with seven grandchildren. They and their families are: Loren and Margaret Bonnema of Pella, Cheryl and Jay Schaap of Lynwood, IL, Charma and Mike Vander Wert of Pella.

Joyce is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Glenn and Lois Rensink of Hospers and a sister-in-law, Ruth Bonnema of Orange City.

For those desiring, memorials may be given for the The Bible League or Hospice of Pella.

Arrangements were made by Van Dyk Duven Funeral Home.

The Pella Chronicle, April 9, 2004