Doris Margaret Steenhoek was born December 2, 1924, in their farmhouse near Harvey, Iowa, to Gerrit and Lena  (Steenhoek) Verros.

In 1929, her family moved to a farm southwest of Otley, then in 1938, they moved to a farm northeast of Leighton.  Doris attended school in Marion and Mahaska counties.  She worked in the shipping department at the Rolscreen Co. for two years.  She then began working at Farmers Union Co-op in Pella, one year in the grocery department, and three years in the office where she kept books for the produce department, gas station, and the credit union.  On September 8, 1949, she was united in marriage to Alfred H Steenhoek at the Third Reformed Church in Pella.  To this union four children were born:  Phyllis Ann, Harris Alvin, David Gene, and Joleen Beth.

After their marriage, they moved to a farm three miles northwest of Pella where they lived eleven years.  They then moved to a farm east of Monroe where they lived seven years.  In 1968, the family moved to Pella where Alfred began working at Van Gorp Manufacturing. Doris was a homemaker and after moving to town began working at Jaarsma's Bakery where she worked for 33 years.  She was baptized and made profession of faith at Third Reformed Church. After marriage, she became a member of First Reformed Church. Her faith was an important part of her life. She was active in Circle and RCWM where she held various offices including six years as treasurer of RCWM.  In the 1980's her eyesight began to fail.  In 1994, she was declared legally blind.  She was no longer able to do many of things she enjoyed such as reading, crocheting and counted cross stitch. She was able to continue icing cakes at the bakery until the end of 2001.

After Doris's husband passed away in 2007, she continued to live in their home where she enjoyed gardening.  She moved into Jefferson Place November of 2017, where she listened to books on tape, her favorite tv programs and spending time with her family.

Our Family

Phyllis A. and Nolan Palsma, Ridgewood, New Jersey

Ryan and Cassie Palsma, Tucson, Arizona

Sarah Palsma, Columbus, Ohio

Anna and Stephen Salem, Liverpool, New York

Harris A. and Dianne Steenhoek, Leighton, Iowa

Ron and Kari Steenhoek, Pella, Iowa

Raelyn, Sam, Madison

Joseph and Michelle Hawkins, West Frankfort, Illinois

Josephine, Maisie

Jacqueline and Kurt Moore, Ottumwa, Iowa

Kacey and Matt Ryan, Ames, Iowa

Jaimeson Hicklin

Robin and Jim Daher, Arnold, Missouri

Maryjane

Joleen B. and Scott Opsal, Medina, Minnesota

Benjamin Opsal, Rhinelander, Wisconsin

Matthew Opsal, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Emily Opsal, Medina, Minnesota

Doris is also survived by her sister-in-law Maxine Verros of Pella.

She was preceded in death by her husband Alfred, her son David Steenhoek, her parents Gerrit and Lena Verros, her parents-in-law Hugo and Johanna Steenhoek, her brothers  Gerald and Elton Verros, and her brothers and sisters-in-law: Lester and Betty Steenhoek Mitchel, Myron and Ruth Steenhoek, Viola and Warren Van Wyk, Helen and Richard Van Wyk, Leroy and Georgia Steenhoek, Reuben and Ruth (and Clarice) Steenhoek, and Dale and Mary (Vanden Berg) Steenhoek.

First Church
Pella IA