Kroon, Rena Mae (Mrs. Rev. John) 1935-2019

KROON, BAKER, WALHOF

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:38

~ Rena Kroon went to be with her heavenly Father on Friday, March 15, 2019, age 84. Her struggle with dementia was difficult for her family and friends, but her sweet spirit showed through until the very end. Her family loved visiting and making her smile. Funeral services for Rena will be 10:00 AM Saturday, March 23, 2019 at First Christian Reformed Church, Sioux Falls, SD followed by a time of fellowship and lunch prior to the committal service in Leota, MN. Visitation will be held at George Boom Funeral Home and On-Site Crematory in Sioux Falls on Friday at 7:00 PM with family present to greet friends from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM.

Rena Mae Kroon was born March 12, 1935 near Edgerton, MN to John and Anna (Baker) Walhof. She was raised on a farm near Edgerton along with her siblings Pete Walhof and Betty Vander Plaats.

On June 20, 1955 Rena married John Kroon. They were blessed with six children: Deb (Stu) Burgers of Sioux Falls, SD, Richard Kroon (deceased), James (Cindy) Kroon of Escondido, CA, Linda (Dan) Kroeze of Sioux Center, IA, David (Gayle) Kroon of Atwood, MI, Dawn (Jay) Woudstra of Sioux Falls, SD.

Over the years, John and Rena celebrated the births of eighteen grandchildren. They enjoyed visiting their children in different places of the country and attending their grandchildren’s events as they grew up. Rena was a wonderful mother and grandmother who was deeply loved by her family.

Rena served alongside her husband, Pastor John Kroon, in various Christian Reformed churches (Oglivie MN, Seattle WA, Hull ND, Lebanon IA, Alto WI, Holland IA, and Bemis SD). Upon John’s retirement he served as Pastor of Visitation for First CRC, SF, which Rena was an active part of and continued serving in that role for several years following his death Along with other various jobs she held, she enjoyed volunteering. In her retirement years she especially had a heart for volunteering in Coffee Break nursery at Center of Hope and at NU2U, Sioux Falls Christian Schools’ thrift store. She was a faithful servant of God and blessed many that she came along side of.

Rena loved attending church and being part of its community. She enjoyed attending ladies societies, Bible study groups, Coffee Break, and many other church ministries over the years. Rena had a quiet servant heart and hands that were always ready to help or hold her grandchildren and great grandchildren that were such an important part of her life. She worked hard and loved deeply, and she will be missed by her family and friends.

Grateful for having shared her life along with her children are eighteen grandchildren: Travis (Lynne) Burgers, Rachael (Stephen) Dekker, Bryan (Katie) Burgers, Nichole (Jonathan) Beutlich, Kristin (Brandon) Gill, Michael (Marina) Kroon, Brett (Kelly) Kroeze, Stephanie (Joshua) Martin, Kendra (Henry) Byl, Kimberly Kroeze, Lerae (Colin McWhertor) Kroon, Anna (Mark) Sonnen, Jenice (Jesse) Steenwyk, Evan Kroon, Abigail Kroon, Graham Kroon, Jordyn Woudstra and Joel (Katherine) Woudstra; twenty-two great-grandchildren; one sister, Betty Vander Plaats and her husband, Pete of Sioux Center, IA; one sister-in-law, Edith Walhof of Edgerton, MN; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Rena was preceded in death by her husband, John (2001); a son, Richard (1971); her parents, John & Anna Walhof; and brother, Peter A. Walhof.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to: Dordt College, 498 4th Ave NE, Sioux Center, IA 51250, or Calvin Theological Seminary, 3233 Burton St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546. Please include “in memory of Rena Kroon” on the memo line of your check.

Source: George Boom Funeral Home online obituary.