Minnie Wassink was born March 31, 1916, the second of five children born to John Henry and Cornelia (Vande Keift) Wassink. She was born near Holland, Michigan. Minnie moved with her family by train to a farm near Bussey, Iowa, in February 1918 during World War I. Minnie attended Bussey School through the eighth grade.

As a young child, her family attended Tracy Christian Reformed Church where her grandfather, Rev. Richard Vande Kieft was the pastor. Minnie grew up on a farm near Bussey and was raised by her father after her mother took ill. She was actively involved in the farm--milking cows, farming with horses, and exploring God's creation.

Minnie made confession of her faith on October 4, 1936, at the Oskaloosa Protestant Reformed Church.

On June 22, 1944, she was united in marriage with Alvin G. Van Zee, son of Gerrit C. and Hattie (Hoksbergen) Van Zee. This union was blessed with four children: Florence Helene, Nancy Jean, Arvan John, and Margery Rose. In 1948 the family moved to the home place, which became a century farm in 1996. They farmed the home place until they retired and remained there the rest of their lives.

Minnie passed away Saturday, January 15, 2011, at the age of ninety-four at the Pella Regional Health Center - Long Term Care.

Those left to cherish her memory are: her two daughters; her son; fourteen grandchildren; twenty-three great-grandchildren; and a sister-in-law, Gertrude Wassink.

Minnie was preceded in death by her husband Alvin on June 24, 2000; her parents, John Henry and Cornelia Wassink; parents-in-law, Gerrit and Hattie Van Zee; her daughter, Margery in 1995; her brother, Henry in 2001; three sisters: Fanny in 1941, Rose in 2004 and Janet in 2005; and a brother-in-law Lawrence Van Zee killed in action in World War II in 1944.

Minnie was a charter member of the Faith Christian Reformed Church in Pella and continued as a member there the rest of her life. She enjoyed gardening and the outdoors. Her family has fond memories of her baking homemade bread, cookies, and bars.

She will be dearly missed by her family and many friends.

Her children and their families:

Florence and Harold Meinders of Pella
Glenn and Clarice (Beekhuizen) Meinders
Maria and Gerrit
David and Becky (Hol) Meinders
John, Kyle, Cory, and Ryan
James and Amy (Chapman) Meinders
Michaela, Tristan, Kolton, Timothy, and Jannay
Calvin and Erin (Stam) Meinders
Christopher, Luke, Thomas, and Ethan
Marsha and Gary Boverhof
Nickolas and Emily
Michelle Meinders

Nancy and Terry Van Steenis of Monore
Marla and Peter Bruins
Emily and Tyler
Lora and Scott Van Essen
Luke and Caleb
Kathy Van Steenis
Sandra and Nick Stoner
Clint and Heather (Stuit) Van Steenis

Arvan and Betty (Fopma) Van Zee
Merlin and Megan (Burr)Van Zee
Ty and Meadow
Julie and Kevin DeZwarte

Margery (deceased) and David De Graaf
Jana De Graaf

FUNERAL SERVICES

1:30 P.M., Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Faith Christian Reformed Church
Pella, Iowa

VISITATION

Beginning at Noon, Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Family present 5:00-8:00 P.M.
Garden Chapel Funeral Home
Pella, Iowa

MEMORIALS

Pella Christian Grade and High Schools
Hospice of Pella

INTERMENT

Oakwood Cemetery
Pella, Iowa

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