Jannette "Ann" Otten passed away peacefully on January 31, 2017, at the age of 94 in Bakersfield CA. She is now living eternally in Heaven with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Ann was Mom to her children, Oma to her grandchildren, Great-Oma to her great-grandchildren, and "friend" to all who knew her. She lived her life serving God, and with a graciousness that we can all aspire to. Her spirit will be carried on by 9 children, 29 grandchildren and 17 (and counting) great grandchildren, who were all taught the love of Jesus by Oma's life and her constant reminder to all of us that Jesus died for our sins. She was never bashful to share the gospel message with all who she met. In her last days Mom knew that her work here was done and she willingly passed to her "eternal home" - to be reunited with the love of her life, our father Henry Otten. Our dear sister Alice Otten Versluys was also there to meet her. What a joyful assurance for our family!
Jannette Van Leeuwen was born on July 4, 1922, to Geerlof and Petronella Cornelia Van Leeuwen on a dairy in Zoeterwoude, a small town near Leiden, The Netherlands. In 1937, at the age of 14, Ann and her family packed the belongings they could carry, and immigrated to the United States. After crossing the Atlantic, the family traveled by train from New York City to Southern California. After a few years of hard work, her father and mother established Van Leeuwen Dairy in Norwalk CA. Although they missed Holland, the family assimilated into a good life in America. In 1949, Ann met Henry Otten at church in Paramount CA. Her sister Nellie told her, "Try to get him, Ann. He is so good looking!" Six months later on December 7, 1949, they were married and began their life together, which spanned nearly 57 years until Dad's death on November 3, 2006. Henry and Ann's first child was born a year later, and then another, and another, and another, finally stopping at eight children. Together, like many of the Dutch immigrants, they fulfilled a dream and started a small dairy in Paramount CA in 1956. After a few moves and many challenges, they moved the dairy to Bakersfield in 1966, and operated a successful business until the dairy was sold in 1996. They raised their large family, which included a foster daughter, to know and love God, teaching them the value of honesty and hard work. Their life here on earth wasn't always easy but both Dad and Mom often testified that "God gave them the strength needed for the long, hard journey."
Ann kept busy raising her many children and she loved her grandchildren - oh how she loved the babies! In fact she met her two newest great-grandsons about a week before she died - "we just put them both right in bed with her!" Ann didn't care much for the cows but she loved to garden, especially her roses, tulips and camellias. Ann loved playing Scrabble and she organized weekly games with her friends for many years. Besides caring for her family, Ann was passionate about serving God. She spent countless hours helping at church and always made sure that her kids were in church too - it wasn't negotiable! Our parents were long-time members of Heritage Bible Church. Ann was also passionate about serving alongside Henry with The Gideons International. She was a faithful member of the Gideons Auxilary for over 40 years, serving as Chaplin right up until her death. She was still passing out Bibles to the hospital staff a week before her death - an amazing example for us all.
Her husband Henry Otten and daughter Alice; brother Gerrit; sisters Hilda, Nellie, Cobie and Gerda preceded Ann in death. She is survived by daughter Connie (Ken) Friesen; son Alex (Beth) Otten; daughter Caroleen (Mark) DeVries; son Henry "Hank" Otten; son-in-law Ron Versluys; daughter Sharon (Ted) Pierce; daughter Mary VanderVeen; daughter Annette (Dan) Lockhart; and foster daughter Blythe Fuller. Her quiver was full to overflowing with 29 grand children and 17 great-grand children, all of whom loved their Oma "buckets full", as grand daughter Leah often said. We will never forget you Mom!
A private graveside service will be held on Friday, February 10th, at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Mortuary. Afterwards, all are invited to join the Otten family for a Memorial Service at 11:00 AM at Heritage Bible Church, 2323 Mt Vernon Ave, Bakersfield. A luncheon will be served at the church right after the service. It was Ann's desire that in lieu of flowers, any donations in her memory be made to The Gideons International, PO Box 140800, Nashville TN 37214. We thank the staff at Brookdale of Bakersfield, and Hoffmann Hospice Home for their loving care of Mom as her life came to a close.
Jesus answered, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by Me."
John 14:6
Published in Bakersfield Californian on Feb. 7, 2017.
Thank you to member #48565830 for links to parents
Jannette Van Leeuwen was born on July 4, 1922, to Geerlof and Petronella Cornelia Van Leeuwen on a dairy in Zoeterwoude, a small town near Leiden, The Netherlands. In 1937, at the age of 14, Ann and her family packed the belongings they could carry, and immigrated to the United States. After crossing the Atlantic, the family traveled by train from New York City to Southern California. After a few years of hard work, her father and mother established Van Leeuwen Dairy in Norwalk CA. Although they missed Holland, the family assimilated into a good life in America. In 1949, Ann met Henry Otten at church in Paramount CA. Her sister Nellie told her, "Try to get him, Ann. He is so good looking!" Six months later on December 7, 1949, they were married and began their life together, which spanned nearly 57 years until Dad's death on November 3, 2006. Henry and Ann's first child was born a year later, and then another, and another, and another, finally stopping at eight children. Together, like many of the Dutch immigrants, they fulfilled a dream and started a small dairy in Paramount CA in 1956. After a few moves and many challenges, they moved the dairy to Bakersfield in 1966, and operated a successful business until the dairy was sold in 1996. They raised their large family, which included a foster daughter, to know and love God, teaching them the value of honesty and hard work. Their life here on earth wasn't always easy but both Dad and Mom often testified that "God gave them the strength needed for the long, hard journey."
Ann kept busy raising her many children and she loved her grandchildren - oh how she loved the babies! In fact she met her two newest great-grandsons about a week before she died - "we just put them both right in bed with her!" Ann didn't care much for the cows but she loved to garden, especially her roses, tulips and camellias. Ann loved playing Scrabble and she organized weekly games with her friends for many years. Besides caring for her family, Ann was passionate about serving God. She spent countless hours helping at church and always made sure that her kids were in church too - it wasn't negotiable! Our parents were long-time members of Heritage Bible Church. Ann was also passionate about serving alongside Henry with The Gideons International. She was a faithful member of the Gideons Auxilary for over 40 years, serving as Chaplin right up until her death. She was still passing out Bibles to the hospital staff a week before her death - an amazing example for us all.
Her husband Henry Otten and daughter Alice; brother Gerrit; sisters Hilda, Nellie, Cobie and Gerda preceded Ann in death. She is survived by daughter Connie (Ken) Friesen; son Alex (Beth) Otten; daughter Caroleen (Mark) DeVries; son Henry "Hank" Otten; son-in-law Ron Versluys; daughter Sharon (Ted) Pierce; daughter Mary VanderVeen; daughter Annette (Dan) Lockhart; and foster daughter Blythe Fuller. Her quiver was full to overflowing with 29 grand children and 17 great-grand children, all of whom loved their Oma "buckets full", as grand daughter Leah often said. We will never forget you Mom!
A private graveside service will be held on Friday, February 10th, at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Mortuary. Afterwards, all are invited to join the Otten family for a Memorial Service at 11:00 AM at Heritage Bible Church, 2323 Mt Vernon Ave, Bakersfield. A luncheon will be served at the church right after the service. It was Ann's desire that in lieu of flowers, any donations in her memory be made to The Gideons International, PO Box 140800, Nashville TN 37214. We thank the staff at Brookdale of Bakersfield, and Hoffmann Hospice Home for their loving care of Mom as her life came to a close.
Jesus answered, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by Me."
John 14:6
Published in Bakersfield Californian on Feb. 7, 2017.
Thank you to member #48565830 for links to parents
Jannette "Ann" Otten passed away peacefully on January 31, 2017, at the age of 94 in Bakersfield CA. She is now living eternally in Heaven with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Ann was Mom to her children, Oma to her grandchildren, Great-Oma to her great-grandchildren, and "friend" to all who knew her. She lived her life serving God, and with a graciousness that we can all aspire to. Her spirit will be carried on by 9 children, 29 grandchildren and 17 (and counting) great grandchildren, who were all taught the love of Jesus by Oma's life and her constant reminder to all of us that Jesus died for our sins. She was never bashful to share the gospel message with all who she met. In her last days Mom knew that her work here was done and she willingly passed to her "eternal home" - to be reunited with the love of her life, our father Henry Otten. Our dear sister Alice Otten Versluys was also there to meet her. What a joyful assurance for our family!
Jannette Van Leeuwen was born on July 4, 1922, to Geerlof and Petronella Cornelia Van Leeuwen on a dairy in Zoeterwoude, a small town near Leiden, The Netherlands. In 1937, at the age of 14, Ann and her family packed the belongings they could carry, and immigrated to the United States. After crossing the Atlantic, the family traveled by train from New York City to Southern California. After a few years of hard work, her father and mother established Van Leeuwen Dairy in Norwalk CA. Although they missed Holland, the family assimilated into a good life in America. In 1949, Ann met Henry Otten at church in Paramount CA. Her sister Nellie told her, "Try to get him, Ann. He is so good looking!" Six months later on December 7, 1949, they were married and began their life together, which spanned nearly 57 years until Dad's death on November 3, 2006. Henry and Ann's first child was born a year later, and then another, and another, and another, finally stopping at eight children. Together, like many of the Dutch immigrants, they fulfilled a dream and started a small dairy in Paramount CA in 1956. After a few moves and many challenges, they moved the dairy to Bakersfield in 1966, and operated a successful business until the dairy was sold in 1996. They raised their large family, which included a foster daughter, to know and love God, teaching them the value of honesty and hard work. Their life here on earth wasn't always easy but both Dad and Mom often testified that "God gave them the strength needed for the long, hard journey."
Ann kept busy raising her many children and she loved her grandchildren - oh how she loved the babies! In fact she met her two newest great-grandsons about a week before she died - "we just put them both right in bed with her!" Ann didn't care much for the cows but she loved to garden, especially her roses, tulips and camellias. Ann loved playing Scrabble and she organized weekly games with her friends for many years. Besides caring for her family, Ann was passionate about serving God. She spent countless hours helping at church and always made sure that her kids were in church too - it wasn't negotiable! Our parents were long-time members of Heritage Bible Church. Ann was also passionate about serving alongside Henry with The Gideons International. She was a faithful member of the Gideons Auxilary for over 40 years, serving as Chaplin right up until her death. She was still passing out Bibles to the hospital staff a week before her death - an amazing example for us all.
Her husband Henry Otten and daughter Alice; brother Gerrit; sisters Hilda, Nellie, Cobie and Gerda preceded Ann in death. She is survived by daughter Connie (Ken) Friesen; son Alex (Beth) Otten; daughter Caroleen (Mark) DeVries; son Henry "Hank" Otten; son-in-law Ron Versluys; daughter Sharon (Ted) Pierce; daughter Mary VanderVeen; daughter Annette (Dan) Lockhart; and foster daughter Blythe Fuller. Her quiver was full to overflowing with 29 grand children and 17 great-grand children, all of whom loved their Oma "buckets full", as grand daughter Leah often said. We will never forget you Mom!
A private graveside service will be held on Friday, February 10th, at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Mortuary. Afterwards, all are invited to join the Otten family for a Memorial Service at 11:00 AM at Heritage Bible Church, 2323 Mt Vernon Ave, Bakersfield. A luncheon will be served at the church right after the service. It was Ann's desire that in lieu of flowers, any donations in her memory be made to The Gideons International, PO Box 140800, Nashville TN 37214. We thank the staff at Brookdale of Bakersfield, and Hoffmann Hospice Home for their loving care of Mom as her life came to a close.
Jesus answered, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by Me."
John 14:6
Published in Bakersfield Californian on Feb. 7, 2017.
Thank you to member #48565830 for links to parents
Jannette Van Leeuwen was born on July 4, 1922, to Geerlof and Petronella Cornelia Van Leeuwen on a dairy in Zoeterwoude, a small town near Leiden, The Netherlands. In 1937, at the age of 14, Ann and her family packed the belongings they could carry, and immigrated to the United States. After crossing the Atlantic, the family traveled by train from New York City to Southern California. After a few years of hard work, her father and mother established Van Leeuwen Dairy in Norwalk CA. Although they missed Holland, the family assimilated into a good life in America. In 1949, Ann met Henry Otten at church in Paramount CA. Her sister Nellie told her, "Try to get him, Ann. He is so good looking!" Six months later on December 7, 1949, they were married and began their life together, which spanned nearly 57 years until Dad's death on November 3, 2006. Henry and Ann's first child was born a year later, and then another, and another, and another, finally stopping at eight children. Together, like many of the Dutch immigrants, they fulfilled a dream and started a small dairy in Paramount CA in 1956. After a few moves and many challenges, they moved the dairy to Bakersfield in 1966, and operated a successful business until the dairy was sold in 1996. They raised their large family, which included a foster daughter, to know and love God, teaching them the value of honesty and hard work. Their life here on earth wasn't always easy but both Dad and Mom often testified that "God gave them the strength needed for the long, hard journey."
Ann kept busy raising her many children and she loved her grandchildren - oh how she loved the babies! In fact she met her two newest great-grandsons about a week before she died - "we just put them both right in bed with her!" Ann didn't care much for the cows but she loved to garden, especially her roses, tulips and camellias. Ann loved playing Scrabble and she organized weekly games with her friends for many years. Besides caring for her family, Ann was passionate about serving God. She spent countless hours helping at church and always made sure that her kids were in church too - it wasn't negotiable! Our parents were long-time members of Heritage Bible Church. Ann was also passionate about serving alongside Henry with The Gideons International. She was a faithful member of the Gideons Auxilary for over 40 years, serving as Chaplin right up until her death. She was still passing out Bibles to the hospital staff a week before her death - an amazing example for us all.
Her husband Henry Otten and daughter Alice; brother Gerrit; sisters Hilda, Nellie, Cobie and Gerda preceded Ann in death. She is survived by daughter Connie (Ken) Friesen; son Alex (Beth) Otten; daughter Caroleen (Mark) DeVries; son Henry "Hank" Otten; son-in-law Ron Versluys; daughter Sharon (Ted) Pierce; daughter Mary VanderVeen; daughter Annette (Dan) Lockhart; and foster daughter Blythe Fuller. Her quiver was full to overflowing with 29 grand children and 17 great-grand children, all of whom loved their Oma "buckets full", as grand daughter Leah often said. We will never forget you Mom!
A private graveside service will be held on Friday, February 10th, at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Mortuary. Afterwards, all are invited to join the Otten family for a Memorial Service at 11:00 AM at Heritage Bible Church, 2323 Mt Vernon Ave, Bakersfield. A luncheon will be served at the church right after the service. It was Ann's desire that in lieu of flowers, any donations in her memory be made to The Gideons International, PO Box 140800, Nashville TN 37214. We thank the staff at Brookdale of Bakersfield, and Hoffmann Hospice Home for their loving care of Mom as her life came to a close.
Jesus answered, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by Me."
John 14:6
Published in Bakersfield Californian on Feb. 7, 2017.
Thank you to member #48565830 for links to parents
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