Gertrude Brouwer Willemsen was born April 30, 1908, in Barneveld province of Gelderland in the Netherlands, the daughter of John W. and Aleida C. (Vande Vis) Brouwer. In 1919, she came with her parents to America. She attended schools in Holland and the Sully Christian Grade School. The transition to American school was very difficult, but she was an excellent student. On February 5, 1930, she was united in marriage to Jeff Willemsen at Otley, Iowa, and to this union, three children were born; Joyce A., John E., and Shirley A. Mr. And Mrs. Willemsen farmed in Jasper and Marion Counties until 1957, Jeff passed away on April 16, 1957. Gertrude moved to Pella and worked in the Dining Hall at Central College, where she was known as “Mom” to many students. She did a great deal of volunteer work for various organizations.
Gertrude passed away February 6, 2002, at the age of 93.
Surviving are her children and their spouses; Joyce and Armand Renskers, John E. Willemsen, and Shirley and Wayne Schippers; eight grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren; and two step-great-great-grandchildren. She also leaves three brothers, John W. Brouwer, Garrett Brouwer, and Wilfred (Bill) Brouwer; and two sisters; Martha Willemsen and Henrietta Vander Velden.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Aleida Brouwer; her husband, Jeff Willemsen; four brothers; Henry, Arnold, Allen, and John W. (Johnny) Brouwer; and a grandson, Armand R. Renskers, Jr.
Gertrude passed away February 6, 2002, at the age of 93.
Surviving are her children and their spouses; Joyce and Armand Renskers, John E. Willemsen, and Shirley and Wayne Schippers; eight grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren; and two step-great-great-grandchildren. She also leaves three brothers, John W. Brouwer, Garrett Brouwer, and Wilfred (Bill) Brouwer; and two sisters; Martha Willemsen and Henrietta Vander Velden.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Aleida Brouwer; her husband, Jeff Willemsen; four brothers; Henry, Arnold, Allen, and John W. (Johnny) Brouwer; and a grandson, Armand R. Renskers, Jr.
Gertrude Brouwer Willemsen was born April 30, 1908, in Barneveld province of Gelderland in the Netherlands, the daughter of John W. and Aleida C. (Vande Vis) Brouwer. In 1919, she came with her parents to America. She attended schools in Holland and the Sully Christian Grade School. The transition to American school was very difficult, but she was an excellent student. On February 5, 1930, she was united in marriage to Jeff Willemsen at Otley, Iowa, and to this union, three children were born; Joyce A., John E., and Shirley A. Mr. And Mrs. Willemsen farmed in Jasper and Marion Counties until 1957, Jeff passed away on April 16, 1957. Gertrude moved to Pella and worked in the Dining Hall at Central College, where she was known as “Mom” to many students. She did a great deal of volunteer work for various organizations.
Gertrude passed away February 6, 2002, at the age of 93.
Surviving are her children and their spouses; Joyce and Armand Renskers, John E. Willemsen, and Shirley and Wayne Schippers; eight grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren; and two step-great-great-grandchildren. She also leaves three brothers, John W. Brouwer, Garrett Brouwer, and Wilfred (Bill) Brouwer; and two sisters; Martha Willemsen and Henrietta Vander Velden.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Aleida Brouwer; her husband, Jeff Willemsen; four brothers; Henry, Arnold, Allen, and John W. (Johnny) Brouwer; and a grandson, Armand R. Renskers, Jr.
Gertrude passed away February 6, 2002, at the age of 93.
Surviving are her children and their spouses; Joyce and Armand Renskers, John E. Willemsen, and Shirley and Wayne Schippers; eight grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren; and two step-great-great-grandchildren. She also leaves three brothers, John W. Brouwer, Garrett Brouwer, and Wilfred (Bill) Brouwer; and two sisters; Martha Willemsen and Henrietta Vander Velden.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Aleida Brouwer; her husband, Jeff Willemsen; four brothers; Henry, Arnold, Allen, and John W. (Johnny) Brouwer; and a grandson, Armand R. Renskers, Jr.
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