DeWild, Mrs. John (Fannetta) - 1916-2004

DEWILD, KOSTERS, VANT HUL

Posted By: Linda Vander Linden-Volunteer (email)
Date: 2/21/2012 at 16:25:08

Northwest Iowa Review, July 3, 2004

Rock Rapids - Fannetta De Wild, 87, Rock Rapids, died Thursday, June 24, at Lyon Manor Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Rock Rapids.

Services were Tuesday, June 29, at First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids. Burial was at Riverview Cemetery in Rock Rapids, under the direction of Roste Funeral Home in Rock Rapids.

Fannetta De Wild, daughter of Henry & Grace (Van't Hul) Kosters, was born Dec. 16, 1916, in a house near Perkins Corner. Her father was a tenant farmer, so she grew up living on many farms around Hull. After completing the eight grade, she stayed home to help her parents get through the great depression. At the age of 22, she married John De Wild in her parents' home on the west edge of Hull. Since he was an electrical engineer, they moved several times in their first years of marriage. They spent several years in Ames and Storm Lake later in his career before settling in Rock Rapids in 1948.

When she grew up and left home, she obtained some training and enjoyed working for 10 years as a nurse's aide. After she retired from nursing, she continued to serve others for many years as a hospice volunteer and as a nursing home volunteer. She and her husband moved in 2000 to an assisted-living facility because of their failing health. They were moved in 2002 to Lyon Manor Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Rock Rapids after she became incapacitated due to a series of small strokes. Mr. De Wild died May 18, 2004.

She was a fastidious homemaker, an excellent baker and a devoted mother. She was an encourager. She loved calling on the sick. Even when she had shingles and was receiving food from friends, she still brought food to others who were ill. She also served as a Brownie Scout Leader for three years. She taught Sunday School for six years and was a life long member of Reformed Church Women's Ministries.

Survivors include three children, Sharon & Fred Tilstra of Rock Rapids, Dale & Kris De Wild of Pella, and Brenda & Mark Van Roekel of Newkirk; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and a sister, Margaret Hospers of Grand Haven, MI.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John De Wild; and two brothers, Andrew Kosters who died as an infant, and Bill Kosters.