VanderSchaaf, Shirely Mrs. Carl 1937-2010

VANDERSCHAAF, VANDEVEGTE, POSTMA

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/1/2010 at 06:24:21

Shirley Vander Schaaf,
August 28, 1937 - June 11, 2010
Funeral Service: Tuesday, June 15, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. June 15, 2010 at Calvary Christian Reformed Church, Pella, Iowa Interment: Oakwood Cemetery, Pella, Iowa
Shirley Jean Postma was born at home on a farm near Rock Valley, Iowa to Richard and Cora (Vande Vegte) Postma on August 28, 1937. She was born into a large family, and enjoyed her growing up years on the farm with 13 brothers and sisters. She attended Rock Valley Christian Schools and Western Christian in Hull Iowa, where she received her high school diploma. She then attended summer school in order to qualify to be a teacher. Shirley was proud to obtain a teaching position at the Pella Christian Grade School in Pella, Iowa. A fellow teacher, Miss Ella Vander Schaaf, introduced Shirley to her nephew, Carl Edwin Vander Schaaf. This ultimately led to Shirley and Carl being united in marriage on November 26, 1960, at the First Christian Reformed Church in Rock Valley, Iowa. Shirley and Carl spent the first years of their married life living in Pella. In 1964 they moved to Independence Iowa, where they resided for 13 years, while Carl managed the Quality Ready Mix Plant, and Shirley worked as a homemaker and full time mother to their three children: Jack Lee, Sue Ann and Julie Lynn. During this time Shirley was an active volunteer at church and school, she also enjoyed her role as a substitute teacher in the Independence Community Schools. In 1977 they returned to Pella. Carl started his own trucking business and Shirley immediately took on the role of bookkeeper, receptionist and errand runner for his business. She managed to fit in working from home as a lace packager for Heritage Lace, while raising her family and keeping a home during these years. Shirley kept a beautiful vegetable and flower garden and was a member of the Pella Garden Club for many years. Shirley’s passion as a hobby was quilting. While she would never have described herself as "artistic", she had a special talent for selecting fabrics to meticulously piece together and then patiently and lovingly "quilt". Shirley was always generous. Most of her textile "works of art" were given to her children, grandchildren and friends as gifts. Shirley was an active member of the Pella Area Quilters Guild. She traveled whenever the opportunity presented itself. She especially looked forward to the trips she and Carl took south every winter. On December 31, 2006, Carl passed away of lung cancer shortly following his 75th birthday. Shirley spent the 10 months of his illness lovingly caring for his every need. In April of 2007, Shirley was diagnosed with gall bladder cancer. She underwent surgery and received treatment for her illness multiple times. On Friday evening, June 11, 2010, she peacefully passed away at the age of 72 years at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House in Pella, surrounded by family. Shirley is survived by her three children and their families: Jack L. Vander Schaaf of Pella, grandson Carson Shinn; Sue A. Janssen and her husband Jerry, her three sons: Jake Veenstra, Cole Janssen and Drew Carl Janssen all of Pella and two step-daughters Rahni Janssen of Mitchellville, Iowa and Stevi Janssen of Pleasant Hill, Iowa; Julie L. Reiland and her husband Eric and her stepdaughters: Madelyn and Ally Reiland all of Stewartville, Minnesota. Also surviving Shirley are two sisters: Carol Postma of Oak Hills, California and Marion Altena of Pipestone, Minnesota; six brothers: Robert Postma and Richard Postma, both of Knoxville Iowa, Donald Postma of Rock Valley, Iowa, Stanley Postma of Canby, Oregon, Clarence Postma of Orange City Iowa and Martin Postma of Rock Valley, Iowa; and two sisters-in-law: Shirley (Vander Schaaf) Hoksbergen of Grand Haven Michigan and Merle (Vander Schaaf) Vande Lune of Madison, Wisconsin. Shirley was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, Carl Vander Schaaf; her parents, Richard and Cora Postma; her parents-in-law, Fred and Anna (Stursma) Vander Schaaf; her sisters: Bonnie De Vries, Margaret Bolkema and Henrietta Van Maanen, her brothers, Gerrit Postma and Lawrence Postma and a brother-in-law, Larry Vande Lune. Shirley was baptized and made profession of her faith at the First Christian Reformed Church in Rock Valley, Iowa. She was a faithful member of the Calvary Christian Reformed Church in Pella, Iowa. She was also a member of the Pella Historical Society and the Pella Area Quilters Guild. Shirley was an avid reader and a fan of the University of Iowa, Hawkeye sports teams. Shirley was a devout and respectful person of faith, who had a special gift for putting her own needs aside to care for others.
Source: VanDyk-Duven Funeral Home of Pella, Ia, obit