Gretta Henrietta Van Wyk Veenstra, daughter of Lambert and Bertha Vos Van Wyk, was born February 24, 1919, near New Sharon, Iowa. She entered her eternal home on Wednesday, October 6, 2010, at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House at the age of ninety-one years.

Gretta received her early education at the Garden Hall Country School near her home. While growing up she attended the Peoria Christian Reformed Church with her family and professed her faith on April 9, 1939. She was a current member of the Calvary Christian Reformed Church in Pella. She was active in ladies Bible study groups in both churches.

Gretta was united in marriage on March 27, 1946, at the home of her parents near New Sharon, Iowa. After marriage the couple moved to the Veenstra family farm north of Peoria. They were blessed with three children: Jerry, Betty, and Joyce. In February 1980 Gretta and Ben retired from the farm and moved to Pella.

She is survived by her three children; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; her sisters, Nellie Vander Molen of Oskaloosa and Ila Ozinga of Pella; her sister-in-law, Leona Van Wyk of New Sharon; and a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Henry and Jeanetta De Jong of Pella.

Gretta was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ben, in 1994; her sister, Wilma and Gerrit Bokhoven; her brothers: John and Grace Van Wyk, Harry and Cathryn Van Wyk, and Lester Van Wyk; her parents-in-law, John L. and Carrie Veenstra; and her brothers-in-law, Jacob Vander Molen, Harold Ozinga, and Lambert and Cornelia Veenstra.

Gretta will be remembered as always serving others, setting forth an example of kindness, and teaching Christian principles. She was dedicated to her family and was always thankful for her many blessings.

Children:

Jerry and Rita (Linsted) Veenstra - Lynnville, Iowa
Joel and Lynda (Engbers) Veenstra
Andrew, Alex, and Caitlin
Darrell and Angela (Vander Velden) Veenstra
Blake and Trevor

Betty and Glen Stryker - Colorado Springs, Colorado
Gratia and Winfried Hartel
Garrick Stryker and fiancAC.e Courtney Miltzow

Joyce and Alan Boender - Pella, Iowa
Matthew and Lynae (Dykstra) Boender
Jadon
Megan Boender and friend Jon Nederhoff

MEMORIAL SERVICE

1:30 P.M., Saturday, October 9, 2010
Calvary Christian Reformed Church
Pella, Iowa

VISITATION

Beginning at 3 P.M. Friday, October 8, 2010
with family present 6-8 P.M.
Garden Chapel Funeral Home
Pella, Iowa

MEMORIALS

Peoria Christian School or the Bible League

INTERMENT

Private family service at the Peoria Cemetery
Saturday morning, October 9, 2010

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