Ferwerda, Henrietta (Mrs. Dale) 1921-2005

FERWERDA, VANSTRYLAND, VANROEKEL

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke-Volunteer
Date: 9/1/2014 at 00:10:36

Source: North West Iowa Review (12-3-2005)

Born: April 7, 1921
Died: November 23, 2005

Henrietta Ferwerda, 84, Springfield, South Dakota, died Wednesday, November 23, at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, South Dakota, after suffering a heart attack at her home.

Services were Saturday, November 26, at Emmanuel Reformed Church in Springfield, South Dakota, with Pastor Dave Reck officiating. Burial was at Springfield Cemetery, under the direction of Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Springfield, South Dakota.

Henrietta Ferwerda, daughter of John A. and Gertie (Van Stryland) Van Roekel, was born April 7, 1921, in rural Boyden. She was baptized and made profession of faith at First Reformed Church in Boyden. She was the sixth of seven children. She received her formal education in a rural school near Boyden through the eight grade.

She married Dale Ferwerda on October 22, 1942, in Dakota City, NE, with the Rev. G.H. Douwstra officiating. Immediately following their marriage, her husband was drafted by the U.S. Army and they spent 1942-46 at various military bases. Following his military service, they farmed southwest of Boyden, where they raised their three children. They moved back to Springfield in 1961, where they farmed until retiring in 1983 and moving into Springfield. She also spent several years working with the Springfield school lunch program and at Springfield Nursing Home. She was a longtime member of United Presbyterian Church in Boyden, where she taught Sunday School, worked with the youth program and was active in Ladies Aid. She later was a member of Kingsburg Community Church and currently was a member of Emmanuel Reformed Church in Springfield, South Dakota. The last few years she listened to the church service on the radio. She was strong in her faith and had prepared for eternity with the Lord. She will be remembered as being a good cook and for her love of quilting and crocheting. She also enjoyed fishing.

Survivors include her husband, Dale Ferwerda of Springfield, South Dakota; a son, Harlan and Carol Ferwerda of Springfield, South Dakota; two daughters, Donna and Dave Koop of Rapid City, South Dakota, and Beverly and Kenn Rupp of Springfield, South Dakota; 17 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; a brother, Abe and Gert Van Roekel of Boyden; and a sister, Joan and Phil Van Gorp of Sheldon.

She was preceded in death by a grandson, Kai Rupp; three sisters; a brother; three sisters-in-law, and three brothers-in-law.