DeHaan, Johanna (Mrs. Franklin) 1918-2002

DEHAAN, HAARSMA, SMITS

Posted By: Janet Bosler - Volunteer (email)
Date: 9/15/2013 at 22:22:11

Northwest Iowa Review April 20, 2002

Born: 1-29-1918
Died: 4-13-2002

Johanna "Jo" Albertha De Haan, 84, Orange City, died Saturday, April 13, at Orange City Hospital.

Services were Tuesday, April 16, at American Reformed church in Orange City, with the Rev. Harlan Van Oort officiating. Burial was at West Lawn Cemetery in Orange City, under the direction of Oolman Funeral Homes in Orange City.

Jo De Haan, daughter of Dick and Dora (Smits) Haarsma, was born Jan. 29, 1918, in Canistota, S.D. Her family moved in 1922, to Maurice, where she was raised and graduated from high school. She also attended Westmar College in LeMars. She married Franklin Henry John "Bob" De Haan on April 6, 1940, in Orange City. The made their home in Orange City except for short periods in Sioux City, and Augusta, GA. For 26 years she was executive secretary for the Selective Service in five Iowa counties, including Sioux. She also worked at Northwestern College in Orange City, for a short time.

She was an active member of American Reformed Church where she sang in the choir and participated in the women's activities. She belonged to the Women's Club, Sioux County Historical Society, Dutch Heritage Boosters and Ramblers.

She was also involved in many Tulip Festival plays. She enjoyed collecting and refinishing antiques, and she liked to sew.

Survivors include her husband, Bob De Haan of Orange City; twin sons, Keith F. and Chris De Haan of Scottsdale, AZ, and Kent R. De Haan of Webster, NY; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren, a sister, Ruth and John Schaap of Hayward, CA; two brothers, Howard Haarsma of Oakland, CA. and Ray and Lois Haarsma of Holland, MN; and a brother-in-law, Bill Reinders of Arnolds Park.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Dorothy Reinders.