Sophia Van Norden was born June 7, 1925, to Gerrit and Cornelia (Van Dyk) Van Norden in Jasper County northeast of Sully, Iowa.

Sophia attended the Taylor #4 Country Grade School east of Sully through the eighth grade. Early on she went to work at the Sully Creamery where she met her husband Myron Renaud. They married in Texas, on September 2, 1944, while Myron was in boot camp. While they lived in Texas Sophia worked in a school cafeteria. As Myron went overseas to war, Sophia returned to Sully and went to work at a factory in Kellogg where she supported the war effort by stamping out handles for munitions boxes. Upon Myron's return they moved to the Sully area where they started farming south of Sully, and welcomed two sons: Merle and Rudy. In 1962, they moved to a farm north of Sully. In 1979, they retired and moved into Sully. In 2009, they moved to Vriendschap Village in Pella. Sophia was privileged to live there along with her two sisters, Marie and Emma. On March 16, 2012, Myron died. Sophia had many talents and loved to crochet, knit and quilt, she also enjoyed cooking and baking. She also helped Myron in his woodworking shop; staining and varnishing projects for their granddaughters. She was a devoted member of Sully Christian Reformed Church, a member of Ruth Circle, and made quilts for missions.

Those left to cherish her memory are: her two sons Merle and Karen Renaud of Florida, and Rudy and Shirley Renaud of Council Bluffs, Iowa; five grandchildren: Rochelle Dede, Renee (Justin) Koneck, Sara (John) Ernst, Carrie (Kevin) Nash, Alisha (Brandon) Baas; nine great-grandchildren: Naomi and Samuel Dede, Tyler and Mirella Koneck, Lydia and Fletcher Ernst, Chloe Nash, Vivienne and Faye Baas; sister Emma Rykhoek, and many nieces and nephews.

Those preceding her in death are: her husband Myron, her parents Gerrit and Cornelia, and her siblings: Effie Pleima, Case Van Norden, Hendrika Struik, Hank Van Norden, Nellie Jansen, Bill Van Norden, Alice Jansen, Jennie Van Sant, Marie Terlouw, and brother Herman Van Norden who died in infancy.

She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Funeral services will be held Monday, January 25, 2016, at 11 a.m. in the Sully Christian Reformed Church in Sully with Reverend Brian Oschner officiating. There will be a family prayer service at 10:15 Monday morning in the basement of the church. Following the prayer service the family will travel to the Sully Cemetery for a private family burial. The family will then return to the church for the funeral service at 11 a.m. Visitation with the family will be held Sunday afternoon from 4-6 p.m. in the Pella Garden Chapel Funeral Home in Pella. Memorials may be made to Franklin Graham Samaritan's Purse or Sully Christian Reformed Church.

Family Prayer Service

10:15 A.M. Monday, January 25, 2016
Sully Christian Reformed Church
Sully, Iowa

Family Graveside Services

Monday, January 25, 2016 following prayer service

Celebration Of Life Service

11:00 A.M. Monday, January 25, 2016
Sully Christian Reformed Church
Sully, Iowa

Visitation

4:00 P.M. Sunday, January 24, 2016
Garden Chapel Funeral Home in Pella
Family present 4:00 - 6:00 P.M.

Memorials

Sully Christian Reformed Church
Franklin Graham, Samaritan's Purse