Zylstra, Gertrude (Mrs. Fred) 1919-2008

ZYLSTRA, VANTHUL, ADDINK

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke-volunteer
Date: 9/14/2013 at 11:15:04

Source: Sioux Center News(6-4-2008)

Born: September 23, 1919
Died: June 2, 2008

Gertrude “Toots” Zylstra was born in Davis, South Dakota on September 23, 1919, to Herman and Jane (Van’t Hul) Addink. She attended school through the eighth grade.

On April 14, 1941, Toots married Fred S. Zylstra in South Sioux City, Nebraska. They resided in Doon, Iowa, for a short time before moving to Sioux Center where Fred was a mechanic and maintenance man at the Sioux Center Creamery. Toots remained active as a mother and housewife.

Later in their marriage, when their two boys were grown, “mother”, as she was referred to by her colleagues, worked for K-Products in Orange City and Sioux Center. She was a cook and baker for all the employees. Baking and cooking was something she thoroughly enjoyed and loved. She was most known for her homemade cinnamon rolls, jellies and cakes. Prior to her death she still reminisced about her baked goods and how wonderful they were. Amazingly, she could still recite her favorite recipes ingredient by ingredient.
Toots sincerely loved to help and share with others. She volunteered for 19 years with the Foster Grandparent Program in Rock Valley, Iowa, and also volunteered at Kinsey Elementary School in Sioux Center, Iowa.

She is survived by two sons and daughter-in-laws: Ron and Karen Zylstra of Inwood, Iowa and Doug and Fran Zylstra of Loveland, Colorado; her five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; as well as several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Fred Zylstra; her parents; brother and sister-in-law: John and Gert Addink; brother, Henry; sister and brother-in-law; Joe and Alice De Vos and infant sister, Gertrude.

Gertrude died Monday, June 2, 2008, at Pleasant Acres Care Center in Hull. A memorial service will be Thursday at 10:30 A.M. at Central Reformed Church of Sioux Center with the Rev. R. Van Rathbun officiating. Interment will be held prior to the memorial service in Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center. A prayer service eill be Thursday at 9:30 A.M. at Central Reformed Church of Sioux Center. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4 to 8 P.M. at the Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center.