Pothoven, Johanna (Blom)

POTHOVEN, BLOM, VAN ZEE

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 7/21/2005 at 17:29:16

Funeral services for Johanna Pothoven, 82, of Pella, formerly of Sully were held July 25, 2002 at the Sully Christian Reformed Church in Sully, the Rev. Stephen Veldhuis officiating and Lois J. Ugwuoke, reader. Music was provided by organist Lyn Howerzyl and soloist Virginia L. Vander Hart with recorded selections by Simon Estes (favorites of Johanna).

Interment was at Oakwood Cemetery in Pella. Casket bearers were "Her Sons" - Robert W. Pothoven, Howard J. Pothoven, Murray D. Pothoven, John P. Pothoven, Raymond L. Pothoven and Kent B. Pothoven.

Johanna Blom, the youngest of eight children that were born to Johannes and Neeltje Van Zee Blom, was born on February 13, 1920, near Eddyville, Iowa.

She was baptized in the First Christian Reformed Church at Pella. Johanna began her education at the Fleming Country Grade School near Peoria. She completed her formal education at the Peoria Christian Grade School in Peoria where she graduated from the 8th grade. Johanna then made profession of her faith at the Peoria Christian Reformed Church in Peoria.

On September 20, 1939, she was united in marriage with Lester Andrew Pothoven at her sister, Nellie Nibbelink's, home near Peoria. Rev. William C. De Jong, her brother-in-law, officiated at the ceremony. Johanna and Lester raised and provided for a family of nine children: Robert Wayne, John Phillip, Howard James, Lois Jean, Raymond Lester, Virginia Lee, Murray Dean, Danny Jay and Kent Bradley.

The family lived in Mahaska County near Peoria, Taintor and New Sharon where Lester farmed and Johanna was a devoted and loving wife and mother. Johanna had suffered from multiple sclerosis for nearly 20 years and in 1983 they retired and moved into Sully. Their needs continued to require more assistance and in January of 1999 they became residents in the Long Term Care Unit at the Pella Regional Health Center in Pella. They were cared for there together the remaining 3 1/2 years of their 63 years of married life and faithfully visited by a special niece, Betty Huyser.

On Monday evening, July 22, 2002, Johanna passed away there peacefully at the age of 82 years, five months and nine days.

Johanna had been a longtime, faithful member of the Sully Christian Reformed Church in Sully. She loved music and sang in a ladies quartet.

She found pleasure in following the many sporting events of her children and grandchildren. Her hobbies included gardening, raising flowers, reading and reciting poetry.

She is survived by her faithful husband, Lester A. Pothoven of Pella; eight children and their spouses: Robert W. and Janice (Vos) Pothoven of Kellogg; John P. Pothoven of Oskaloosa; Howard J. and Pamela (Schuttinga) Pothoven of Pella; Lois J. and Simon Ugwuoke of Raleigh, N.C.; Raymond L. and Mary (Lourens) Pothoven of Pella; Virginia L. and Allen Vander Hart of Grand Rapids, Mich.; Murray D. and Kendra (Ball) Pothoven of Kellogg; and Kent B. Pothoven of Sully; 18 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Johanna was the last surviving member of her original family.

She was preceded in death by their son, Danny J. Pothoven, at the age of 3 years in a tractor accident on March 23, 1963 and a granddaughter, Traci Pothoven, two day old daughter of Howard and Pamela Pothoven, on March 28, 1970; her parents, Johannes and Neeltje Van Zee Blom and all of her siblings: Henrietta (Andrew) Huyser who passed away in 1979, Cornelia (C.B.) Vander Hart in 1996, Teunis Blom in 1992, Marie (William C.) De Jong in 1987, Frances (Gerrit A.) De Jong in 2000, Nellie (Henry) Nibbelink in 1992 and Frank Blom who passed away in 1978.

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

Memorials may be made to the Sully Christian Grade School in Sully.

The Pella Chronicle, August 2, 2002