Minnie Nikkel was born on October 16, 1921, near Sully, Iowa. She was the youngest of five children that were born to Albert and Katherine Stek Nikkel. Minnie enjoyed being a farm girl and attended the Sully Christian Grade School through the 3rd grade and later the Frog Pond Country Grade School near Lynnville, Iowa. Minnie grew up in the setting of the Great Depression and remembered her father's loving and gentle spirit and her mother telling many stories. In school she especially enjoyed writing essays and subjects that involved literature and English. However her formal education came to an end after only one semester in high school as her family needed her to seek gainful employment in order to contribute to the welfare of the family. Minnie and her family then moved into Pella, Iowa, near the Rolscreen Company. Her family and she found employment there and they joined the Second Christian Reformed Church. Minnie caught the eye of a young rascal named, Martin Arie De Jong, whose family also attended the same church. He was the son of Martin and Lena Vander Schaaf De Jong, and was raised in the home of his Grandfather Sjoerd (George) Vander Schaaf, as his father died of influenza shortly before Martin's birth. Martin was called to serve his country during World War II and before he went off into service he and Minnie decided to marry on May 7, 1943, at the home of her parents in Pella. Married life brought them to Fort Riley, Kansas and eventually Private De Jong was shipped off to Europe. Minnie returned to Pella, Iowa during this time with their first child, Judith Ann, and made their home with Martin's mother, Lena De Jong and her family. Part of that time was also spent living in the home of her parents. Following Martin's discharge he returned to Pella and Minnie and "Bats", as he became known, started a construction business of their own. Minnie's primary focus continued to be their growing family: Lois Jean, Linda Kay, Carol Sue, Jaci Lynn and Robert Martin. Minnie was a faithful wife to her husband, Bats, who would build a home for their family, sell it and then move on to a new location for some 15 times, and a devoted mother to keeping their 6 children fed, clothed, doctored, educated and faithfully nurtured. This was enough to fill her time and then some. After retirement Minnie and Bats made several winter trips to the Port Charlotte area in Florida. Even in Florida, Bats kept looking for a better housing deal, and they moved several times. They enjoyed the warm weather, new friends and flea markets. Minnie enjoyed going to a craft center, handwork such as embroidery, crocheting, quilting and knitting. She shared many of her beautiful projects with her children and grandchildren. As Bats' health began to deteriorate they moved into the Grandview Apartments and Hilltop Manor North in Pella and Bats eventually became a resident in the Long Term Care Unit at the Pella Regional Health Center. He passed away there on March 30, 2003 at the age of 82 years. Minnie continued to enjoy the fellowship and activities at Hilltop. She also enjoyed outings with her daughters, Lois and Carol and visits with her children, Judy, Linda, Jaci and Bob who lived away from Pella. On Wednesday morning, July 22, 2009, she passed away at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House at the age of 87 years, 9 months and 6 days. Minnie leaves, in a legacy of love and faithfulness, five children and their spouses, 13 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. They and their families are: Judy and Stan Ver Heul of Traverse City, Michigan; Lois and Bob Vermeer of Pella, Iowa; Carol and Pete Verhey of Pella, Iowa; Jaci and Mark Hugen of Norwalk, California; Bob and Diane De Jong of Swanzey, New Hampshire. Minnie was preceded in death by her husband, Martin A. De Jong; her daughter, Linda Pelton, who passed in 1997 and her husband, Fred Pelton, in 2005; her parents, Albert and Katherine Nikkel; her mother-in-law, Lena De Jong; her two sisters, Cora and her husband, Neal Van Veen and Henrietta Nikkel; a brother, James Nikkel, who died as an infant and her brother, John Nikkel; and a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Janet (De Jong) and James A. Shade. Minnie was a member of the Second Christian Reformed Church in Pella until they decided to be a part of a new church, the Calvary Christian Reformed Church. In the later years of her marriage she and Bats returned their membership to their original church, the Second Christian Reformed Church and at the time of her death she was a member of the Calvary Christian Reformed Church. Her family was truly blessed that Minnie served as a prayer warrior for them all. She also left us to treasure many of her personal writings and memories that indicate her deep love of her Lord, her family and others.


For those desiring, memorials may be designated for Bethany Christian Services or Hospice of Pella, Iowa.

Van Dyk- Duven Funeral Home