Wassenaar, Helen Mrs. Benjamin 1909-2000

WASSENAAR, DESTIGTER, VISSER

Posted By: Alma Langstraat-volunteer (email)
Date: 1/27/2010 at 09:17:09

Source-Sioux Center News--Nov. 29, 2000
Helen Wassenaar, 91, of Sioux Cebnter died Friday, November 24, in Sioux Center.
Services were at l0 a.m. Wednesday at First Christian Reformed Church, Sioux Center, with the Rev. John Witvliet officiating. Burial was in Memory Gardens Cemetery, Sioux Center.
Mrs. Wassenaar was born January 30, l909, the daughter of Lane and Barbara (Visser) De Stigter. She was the oldest of 12 children.
She had been alone for almost 50 years. After moving her family back to Sioux Center from Fulton, Illinois, in l952, she had sole responsibility for raising her children. She had much support from her brothers and sisters and church, and the Lord was her anchor. She made a living first by making rag rugs and then by working as a dietician and housemother at Dordt college. After retirement she began a new career, making cloth dolls and stuffed animals and became known as "the doll lady".
She will be remembered as a prayer warrior, praying for her children and grandchildren.
Survivors include her children, Adelbert Wassenaar of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Leon and Carol Wassenaar of Hebron, Nebraska, Allen and Carol Wassenaar of Denver, Colorado, Ron and Barbara Wenger of Belding, Michigan, Norman Wassenaar of El Centro, California and Ken and Carol Leys of Belhave, North Carolina; l6 grandchildren; l0 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Leonard of Sioux Center, Cornelius of Livonia, Michigan, and Melvin of Grand Rapids; and three sisters, Alyda Kosters of Sioux Center, Florence Kalsbeek of Orange City and Lucille Poel of Grand Rapids,
She was preceded in death by her husband, Benjamin; four brothers William Gilbert Tunis and Peter; and a sister, Ada Schoo.