Marie Beekhuizen was born February 7, 1924, at Tracy, Iowa, the daughter of Willem Dirk and Marie Vande Scheur Hol. She graduated from Pella High School with the class of 1941 and following graduation earned her teaching certificate and taught in country schools in Marion County. On January 17, 1947, she was united in marriage to Bert Beekhuizen at her parents' home in Pella. Following their marriage Marie stayed home to care for her family and home. Being a teacher at heart, Marie went back to college and earned her teaching degree from William Penn College in 1971. She taught elementary school in various communities including: Cedar, Eddyville, Oskaloosa Christian Grade School, and Sully Christian Grade School. She retired from Prairie City Christian School in 1987. In retirement she offered private tutoring for many students. She had a passion for teaching her entire life and found great satisfaction in teaching children to read. She was an active member of the Bethel Christian Reformed Church when they resided in Oskaloosa and transferred her membership to Calvary Christian Reformed Church when they moved to Pella in 1973. She joined several of the ladies' organizations of her church and she and Bert were very active in couples' Bible studies. She enjoyed reading, music and the After 5 Club but found much joy in quilting, stitching a special quilt for each of her children and grandchildren. She and Bert enjoyed traveling and gardening together. Her grandchildren held a special place in her heart and she always looked forward to their visits. She delighted in having them come for an extended stay in the summer and always had plenty of treats on hand. Hospitality was very important to her, the coffeepot was always on and she always made time to visit with family and friends. Marie passed away peacefully on Monday, March 17, 2014 at Hearthstone/Jefferson Place in Pella, her home for the last eight years and where she recently celebrated her 90th birthday.

Her family includes her four children, Beverly (Darrel) Van Veldhuizen of Eddyville, Iowa, Marilyn (Jim) Dean of Sioux Center, Iowa, Jim Beekhuizen of Paducah, Kentucky, and Marla (Bryce) Dahm of Pella, Iowa; six grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; two sisters, Nellie Wyngarden of Oskaloosa and Minnie Van Wyngarden of Pella; a sister-in-law, Marie (Harold) Van Maanen of Pella; a brother-in-law, Eldert Groenendyk of Urbandale; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Marie was preceded in death by her husband Bert on August 17, 2005, her parents; a grandson, Brady Dahm; four brothers, Marion Hol, Everett Hol and two in infancy; and a sister, Janet Vander Beek.

Family:

Beverly and Darrel Van Veldhuizen of Eddyville, Iowa
Melissa and Charles Eaton
Olivia Eaton
LeAnne and Norman Walker
Holt Walker
Blake Walker

Marilyn and Jim Dean - Sioux Center, Iowa
J.T. and Bronwen Dean
Skyler Dean
James Dean
Kellen Dean
Brennen Dean
Charlotta Dean

Ross and Genevieve Dean

Matthew and Katie Dean
Jacqueline Dean
Maya Dean

Jim Beekhuizen - Paducah, Kentucky

Marla and Bryce Dahm - Pella, Iowa
Jasen and Brittany Dahm

FUNERAL SERVICE

10:30 A.M., Saturday, March 22, 2014
Calvary Christian Reformed Church
Pella, Iowa

VISITATION

Beginning at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, March 21, 2014
with family present 5:00 - 7:00 P.M.
Garden Chapel Funeral Home
Pella, Iowa

MEMORIALS

Hearthstone/Jefferson Place Activity Fund

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