VanderZwaag, Sernelia S. (Mrs. Elmer) 1921-2003

VANDERZWAAG, VANDERWILT, BOMGAARS

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 3/9/2013 at 15:22:40

SiouxLand Press Oct 29, 2003
SERNELIA S. VAN DER ZWAAG
Mrs. Sernelia Van Der Zwaag, age 82, of Orange City, passed away Tuesday, October 21, at the Orange City Municipal Hospital. There was a memorial service on Friday, October 24, at 10:30am, at the First Reformed Church in
Orange City. The Rev. Steven Vander Molen officiated. Interment-was prior to the service at West Lawn Cemetery in Orange City. There was a family prayer service on Friday, at 9:30am, at the Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City.

Sernelia Sophia was born August 3, 1921, in rural Orange City, the daughter of Frank and Johanna (Vander Wilt) Bomgaars. She was raised at Middleburg, Hull, and Sioux Center, where she graduated from high school. She also attended Westmar College in Le Mars and then was a teacher in country schools at Newkirk and Doon for five years. On December 22, 1943, she married Elmer Van Der Zwaag at Middleburg. They farmed near Middleburg, where "Sal" was a homemaker.

In 1979, they moved into Orange City. Mr. Van Der Zwaag passed away February 9, 1995, in Sioux City. In 1997, she became a resident of the Pioneer Memorial Home and in the spring of 2002, she transferred to the Landsmeer Ridge Retirement Community, both in Orange City. Since November of 2002, she has lived at the Pleasant Acres Care Center in Hull. "Sal" was a member of the First Reformed Church, where she participated in the women's organizations and the senior citizens group.

She enjoyed playing cards with her friends. She also liked music and was a member of the bell choir at Pleasant Acres. She and Elmer were always supportive of their children and grandchildren, attending all of their activities. Her great-grandchildren called her "Grandma-great".

Survivors include her four daughters and their husbands, Jurleen and Harlan Koele, of Miltona, Minnesota; Sharon and James Berkenpas, of Sioux Center; Francine and Leon Mouw, of Boyden; and JoLynn and Don Van Steenwyk, of Milford; ten grandchildren, Cristi Koele, and her husband, Craig Bauerly; Chad Koele, and his wife, Peggy; Terri Berkenpas, and her husband, Brad Kingsbury; Curt Berkenpas, and his wife, Mary; Tricia Berkenpas, and her husband, Mark Vermeer; Amy Mouw, and her husband, Matt Stark; Tami Mouw, and her husband, Dave Lund; Gina Mouw, and her husband, Beau Wells; Shahna Van Steenwyk, and her husband, Adam Janssen; and Tara Van Steenwyk, and her husband, Nathan Odegard; twenty great- grandchildren, Kelsey and Caitlin Bauerly; Hank, Hunter, and Hallie Koele; Kassandra and Savana Kingsbury; Tyron, Lucas, and Logan Berkenpas; Aftyn and Samantha Vermeer; Benjamin, Brett, and Kendra Stark; Brandon, Andrew, and Kristina Lund; Emma Sue Wells; and Levi Janssen; and two sisters and their husbands, Sophia and Clifford Top, of Orange City; and Arlene and James Cleveringa, of Sheldon.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded preceded in death by a Koele grandson; and a two year-old sister, also named Sernelia. Memorials are being directed to the Pleasant Acres Care Center.