Betty Joyce Steenhoek was born on May 3, 1934 near Leighton, Iowa to Walter and Anna Van Zee Steenhoek. She was one of a set of twins. Her twin sister died at birth.

Betty attended the Leighton Christian Reformed Church. She started school at Leighton Public School, later at Black Oak No. 6, one year at Pella Christian Grade School, fourth through eighth grades at Leighton Christian School, graduating in 1948. She then attended Pella Christian High School, graduating with the class of 1952.

Betty began working at Mercy Hospital in Oskaloosa as a nurse's aide. On November 17, 1955 she was united in marriage with Peter A. Hessing at her parents' home near Leighton. Peter and Betty farmed north of Leighton for four years. During that time their three daughters were born: Leanne Beth, Lois Jean, and Mary Louise. In 1960 the family moved to a farm east of Oskaloosa and on January 15, 1965 they moved to Pella.

Peter worked at Van Gorp manufacturing while Betty worked at the Pella Community Nursing Home for eight years. They were currently members of the Calvary Christian Reformed Church in Pella.

When the Calvary Church began Coffee Break, Betty babysat with the infants and continued in this capacity until 2004.

When her daughters went to college, Betty started making quilts. She gave all the grandchildren a baby quilt when they were born and a larger quilt when they graduated from high school.

Betty enjoyed quilting, genealogy, and cooking for her family.

Those left to cherish her memory are: her husband, Peter; her three daughters; fifteen grandchildren; one great-grandchild; two brothers and their spouses: James and Sheryll Steehoek and Loren and Marge Steenhoek, all of Pella; her one sister and her husband: Esther and Owen Ver Meer of Leighton.

Betty was preceded in death by her older sister in infancy; her twin sister; her mother May 27, 1988; and her father March 13, 1999.

Betty will always be remembered as a loving and faithful wife, mother, grandmother, and sister.

Family:

Husband: Peter Hessing of Pella

Leanne Hessing of Buena Park, California
Michael and Natalie Rensink
Dustin Rensink
Jennifer Rensink
Lucy
Andrew Rensink
Hannah Rensink

Lois and Jarry Hofmeyer of Sugar Grove, Illinois
Lisa Hofmeyer
Dean Hofmeyer
Nathan Hofmeyer
Jennica Hofmeyer
Jacob Hofmeyer
Benjamin Hofmeyer

Mary and James Gersetich of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota
Rebecca and Alex Hunt
Jonathan Gersetich
Bethany Gersetich
David Gersetich

FUNERAL SERVICES

10:00 A.M., Monday, January 5, 2009
Calvary Christian Reformed Church
Pella, Iowa

VISITATION

After 11:00 A.M., Sunday, January 4, 2009
Family will be present 3:00-5:00 P.M.
Garden Chapel Funeral Home
Pella, Iowa

MEMORIALS

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FAMILY

Husband: Peter Hessing - Pella, Iowa
Daughters: Leanne Hessing - Buena Park, California
Lois (Jerry) Hofmeyer - Sugar Grove, Illinois
Mary (James) Gersetich - Brooklyn Center, Minnesota

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