Anna Van Oenen was born near Pella on October 1, 1917, the third daughter of Henry and Sientje Wouterse Van Oenen. She and her four sisters grew up on a farm south of Pella. She attended South Porterville School where she graduated from eighth grade. She was married to Henry M. De Jong on June 4, 1937. They farmed together (including the dairy farm and produce farming) at various locations for much of their married life. After the children were grown, Anna took training to become a Certified Nursing Assistant and ministered lovingly to many as she worked at the Pella Long Term Health Care Center for 23 and Henry had seven children: Howard, Judy, Janice, Paul, Darlene, Carolyn, and Esther. Anna gave tender care and love to Darlene who has special needs and lives at COC She was a member of First Christian Reformed Church of Pella. She attended and was a member of the Mission Guild for many years. Anna played piano, banjo, and mandolin. Anna enjoyed baking, canning, quilting, crocheting, and especially gardening. On August 31, 2007, Anna entered the Pella Regional Hospital. Her illness persisted and she was released to the Pella Comfort House on October 1, 2007, her 90th birthday. She rallied to move to Griffin Nursing Home until her return to Comfort House and then to Pella's Long Term Care on March 3. She lived there until she entered glory early Monday morning, June 16. Preceding her in death was her husband, Henry De Jong, her parents, Henry and Sientje Van Oenen, and her sisters and brothers-in-law, Elsie and Cecil Terpstra, Lizzie and Murray Sytsma, Cobie De Zwarte. and Edwin Vander Ploeg. She is survived by her sister, Cornelia Vander Ploeg, brother-in-law Abe De Zwarte, and her children and their families. Howard and Dorothy De Jong; Otto and Judy Vos; Adrian and Janice Uitermarkt; Paul and Marlene De Jong; Darlene De Jong; Louis and Carolyn Vanderwilt; John and Esther De Moss. Anna was deeply loved by her family and others whose lives she touched in so many ways. She leaves a grateful but empty spot in our lives. "Her children shall rise and call her blessed." Proverbs 31: 28a


For those desiring, memorials may given for the Christian Opportunity Center