Ida (Koenen) SMIT

SMIT, KOENEN, DIRKS, NEDVED, HAYUNGS, JENISON, FOSS, RITTER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 1/7/2007 at 12:56:25

May 25, 2004

Ida Smit, 94, died on Sunday, May 16, 2004. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, May 19, at the First Reformed Church in Meservey, with Rev. Rodney Meester officiating. Interment was in the Meservey Cemetery. Music was provided by Janet Pals, organist and Terry Long, soloist. Ushers were Roger Fekkers and Fred Suntken. Honorary bearers were Chris Seitsema, Paula Jenison, Renee Schaefer, Kathy Nierengarten, Karla Rooney, Janet Larson, Judy Boekelman, Brenda Minton, Lori Hall, Pam Wonsmos, Cheryl Larson, Kim Smit and Jody Young. Casket bearers were Arlyn Nedved, Jeff Jenison, Bruce Smit, David Nedved, Dennis Ritter, Lynn Hayungs, Brian Hayungs and Mark Jenison.

Ida Koenen, was born on December 22, 1909, on the family farm near Alexander, the daughter of Harm and Hermina (Dirks) Koenen. She attended Alexander Schools. Then she assisted her father on the farm. She married Ben Smit on May 10, 1933. They farmed east of Meservey where they raised seven children. Ida was a life long homemaker and partner in the farm. She was hard working and always put the needs of her family and others before her own. She will be remembered for her wonderful homemade breads and rolls. Each family member has handcrafted gifts such as tablecloths, doilies and afghans. People remember sledding parties in the winter and going to Ida's home for homemade goodies, hot cocoa and oyster stew, followed by sing-alongs. Ida enjoyed reading and was an avid gardener, which she continued well into her late 80's. She and Ben visited Germany. They also enjoyed fishing trips to the north country. She was a life long member of the First Reformed Church in Meservey. In 2002 she became a resident of the Belmond Care Center.

Ida was preceded in death by her parents; husband (1973); sons, Harlan (2003) and Edward (1997); sons-in-law, Elmer Nedved, Ernie Hayungs and Merrill Jenison; sisters, Tillie Koenen and Hermina Foss; and brother, Herman Koenen. Survivors are her daughters, Betty Nedved of Hayfield, Ione Hayungs of Clear Lake and Lois Jenison of Belmond; son, Alvin (Jackie) Smit of Thornton; daughter, JoAnn (Mike) Ritter of Goodell; daughters-in-law, Joanne (Harlan) Smit and Georgia (Edward) Smit, both of Sheffield; sister, Tina Smit of Sheffield; 21 grandchildren; and 40 great-grandchildren.

©Belmond Independent 2004