Marjorie Vander Werff

Marjorie Lucille (Sytsma) Vander Werff, age 93, died peacefully on June 6, 2020. Marjorie was born on October 29, 1926, to Dannie and Lena (De Hamer) Sytsma. Marge, her parents and four siblings grew up on a farm near Tracy, Iowa. She helped her dad plant and harvest crops with horses, do chores and everything involved with farming. Marge also helped neighbors when babies were born doing household chores and cooking.

Marge graduated from Tracy High School in 1944. She was very proud of her diploma and always kept in contact with her classmates. She then worked at the Pella Overall Factory where she ran a belt looper machine.

On October 19, 1948, she married Arthur Vander Werff, son of Arie and Nellie (Breen) Vander Werff at the Third Reformed Church parsonage.

They lived with Arthur’s parents for a short time north of Pella, near the Skunk River. A house was moved in on the Vander Werff farm where they raised their family and farmed for 60+ years. Marge worked along with Arthur on the farm with the planting and harvesting, raising livestock and doing chores. Marge also tended a large garden, canned garden produce and raised chickens.

Marge and Arthur spent many summer evenings baiting throw lines and bank poles, going back in the morning to check them, and clean the fish. Marge fried more fish than most will ever do and she never ate any! She took and taught all grandchildren how to fish.

Marge and Arthur enjoyed fishing and camping, going to dances and card parties with friends, attending the Iowa State Fair each year and Old Threshers Reunion in Mt. Pleasant.

Marge loved to spend time with her grandkids taking them on the 4-wheeler to check on things. She always made it plain that they were not to go past 2nd gear . . . which they never did, ‘til they were far enough away that she couldn’t see them!

Marge loved her family, friends and her Lord. She loved to sing songs and hymns, she loved to yodel and did it very well. She entertained us with her special gift and talent.

She is survived by her children: Linda (Dick) Van Wyk of Monroe, David (Cheryl Klein) Vander Werff of Pella, and Norma (Dwayne) De Ruiter of Pella. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Kyle Van Wyk, Craig Van Wyk, Staci (Rob) Huisman, Bradley Vander Werff, Matthew (Crystal) Vander Werff, Shelley (Tommy) Garrett, Danielle De Ruiter and Nickolas De Ruiter; several great grandchildren, her brother Kenneth Sytsma of Knoxville, and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding in death was her husband Arthur; her daughter Lola Jean, her brother Leo Sytsma (Viola), MaryAnn (Peter) Gruber, and her sister Audrey (Joe) Kennedy.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to American Diabetes Association or the Reasnor Fire Department.  Private family service will be held at 1:00 pm, Tuesday, June 9, and will be live-streamed on the Garden Chapel Facebook page. 

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.