Arkema, Elizabeth "Bess" ((Blom)

ARKEMA, BLOM, VAN ZANTE

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 7/21/2005 at 17:00:06

Funeral services for Elizabeth "Bess" Arkema, 96, formerly of Tracy were held July 29, 2002 at the Tracy Christian Reformed Church in Tracy, the Rev. Alvern G. Boetsma officiating. Music was provided by organist Donna Groenendyk.

Interment was at Bethel Cemetery near Tracy, Iowa. Casket bearers were her "Grandsons" - Joey Marvelli, Barry Marshall, Steve Arkema, Jeff Arkema, Craig Sytsma and Jason Arkema. Honorary bearer was her grandson Tim Sytsma.

Elizabeth Blom was born on October 16, 1905 at Herwynen, in the province of Gelderland, the Netherlands. She was the eighth of nine children born to Hubert and Dirkje Van Zante Blom. At the age of 3 years the family made the voyage from the Netherlands to Mahaska County, Iowa, settling west of Leighton. Bess, as she was known, attended Mahaska County country schools.

On February 1, 1928 she was united in marriage with Steve Arkema, Sr. in Tracy. To this union five children were born: Gerrit Dean, Dorothy June, Betty Colleen, Leona Mae and Steven Arkema, Jr. Steve farmed southwest of Tracy until retiring in 1965 when the family moved into Tracy. During all these years Bess attended to her families needs faithfully.

On Sunday evening, November 16, 1969, Steve passed away. Bess continued to live in Tracy until her own health began to decline. She then became a resident of the Pleasant Park Estates in Oskaloosa in 1997 where she lived the remainder of her lifetime. On Thursday morning, July 25, 2002, Bess passed away there attaining the advanced age of 96 years, 9 months and 6 days.

Bess was a long-time member of the Tracy Christian Reformed Church. She enjoyed raising flowers, cooking-especially baking, crocheting and material embroidery, and in her later years she was an avid sports fan.

She is survived by three children and their spouses: Dorothy and Dave Marshall of Oskaloosa; Leona and Larry Sytsma of Tracy; and Steven (Nick) and Shari Arkema of Pella; 15 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by: her parents, her husband; her son, Gerrit D. Arkema; her daughter, Betty C. Walker; a granddaughter, Rhonda Evans and an infant grandson, Colin Arkema; six brothers: William, Leonard, Henry, Tunis, Fred and Hubert Blom; two sisters: Henrietta Blom and Gertrude Van Arendonk.

Bess was the last surviving member of her original family.

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

Memorials may be made to the Tracy Christian Reformed Church in Tracy.

The Pella Chronicle, August 2, 2002