Bonnema, Harriet (Joyce) 1929-2004

BONNEMA, RENSINK, PETERS

Posted By: Mary Lou Verburg - Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/16/2014 at 20:41:31

Born: October 10, 1929 rural Newkirk, Iowa
Died April 1, 2004 Pella, Iowa

Harriet Joyce Rensink was born Oct. 10, 1929 on a farm near Newkirk, the daughter of Arthur J and Nina (Peters) Rensink.

Joyce, as she was known, attended and graduated from Newkirk High School in 1947. She married Donald Lemuel Bonnema on March 22, 1951, at the Newkirk Reformed Church in Newkirk.

The couple moved to California in 1952 where Don was stationed at Camp Pendleton with the United States Marine Corps. In 1953 she movved back to Newkirk after Don had been ordered to serve in Korea. He was honorably discharged in 1954, and they resumed life together.

To this union four children were born: Sharise Leigh, Loren Keith, Cheryl Beth and Charma Joy. On Jan. 8, 1955, their oldest daughter Sharise died at the age of 2 1/2 folowing a brief illness. In 1959, the family moved to Pella.

Joyce began working at the Pella Community Hospital in September of 1968 in the dietary department. She retired from there in 1992, after 24 years of service.

Joyce was a giving and servant-hearted woman. This was especially evident in raising their family as well as her volunteer work with Hospice of Pella.

She loved her family and thoroughly enjoyed playing with her grandchildren and watching their sporting events.

In 1996, Joyce started espericing some difficulties with her speech, and after extensive neurological testing no diagnosis could be made.

The past eight years she has been faithfully attended to be her husband Don. He compassionately cared for her until her peaceful passing on Thursday, April 1, at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House at the age of 74.

Survivors include her husband of 53 years, Don, their son and two daughters, along with seven grandchildren.

They and their families are Loren and Margaret Bonnema of Kansas City, Mo.; Aaron Bonnema, currently at Central College in Pella; Cheryl and Jay Schaap of Lynwood, Ill.; Brad Schaap of Chicago, Ill.; Stacey Schaap, currently at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mich.; Charma a nd Mike Vander Wert of Pella and Lindsay, Stephen and Nathan Vaner Wert.

Joyce is survived by a brother and sister-in-law Glen and Lois Rensink of Hospers and sister-in-law Ruth Boone of Orange City.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, her parents and brother-in-law Earl Bonnema.

Joyce was baptized and made profession of her faith in the Newkirk Reformed Church. She was a member of the Third Reformed Church in Pella, where she was active in women's chorus and taught Sunday School.

Joyce enjoyed reading, music, gardening, sewing and watching birds and collecting stamps. She was especially proud of raising her family in a christian home.

Funeral services were on Tuesday morning. April 6, at Third Reformed Church, with Rev. Kevin Korver officiating. Interment was at Oakwood Cemetery in Pella.

Memorials may be given to the Bible League or Hospice of Pella.

Source: Alton Democrat May 6, 2004