Julia M Kraayenbrink

     Julia Kraayenbrink went to be with her Heavenly father on February 27, 2018 at the age of 84. Her struggle with dementia and mini strokes was difficult for her family and friends, but her sweet spirit shown through until the very end. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren loved visiting her and making her smile.

     Funeral services for Julia will be held at Faith Christian Reformed Church on Saturday, March 3 with Pastors Bob Pollema and Dave Smit officiating. Family prayer service will begin at 10:30 a.m. followed by interment. A Service of Praise will be held in the sanctuary at 11:30 a.m. with lunch to follow.  If you are unable to attend the funeral, the family will be present at the church until 3:30 in the afternoon for a time of public family visitation.  You are welcome to join them at any time.

     There will be a viewing open to the public on Friday, March 2nd from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Memorial Funeral Home in Sioux Center, IA. Family will not be present.

     Julia Martheen Pap was born on June 17, 1933 in Doon, Iowa to Andrew and Henrietta Pap (Van Engen). She was raised on a farm near Doon with her siblings Nella (Pete, deceased) Kooi, Duane (deceased) Pap, Jo (Darrel) Rensink, Roger (Arlene) Pap, Lyla (Irv, deceased) Pagels, and Myron Pap.

     On March 30, 1951 Julia married Gerrit Kraayebrink and they were blessed with six children: June and her husband Verlyn De Wit, Ardene and her husband Ken Emmelkamp, Henry and his wife Glenda Kraayenbrink, Jana and her husband Brian VanDer Vliet, Galen and his wife Julie Kraayenbrink, all of Sioux Center, and Cinda and her husband Doug Faber of Ireton.

     Over the years they have celebrated the births of eighteen grandchildren. Julia was deeply loved by all her kids and grandkids and was known for her love of the outdoors, weekly coffee dates on Sunday afternoons, her beautiful crocheted afghans, and her delicious baked goods that were always ready in the cookie jar.

     Besides being a great mom to her six children, when Julia was a young woman she worked at a nursing home in Rock Rapids, and later on enjoyed tending plants at Greenworld. Julia also volunteered countless hours at Justice for All, collected dozens of suitcases of materials for orphanages in Liberia through One Body One Hope, and sewed kits for Days for Girls. When Julia and Gerrit retired they grew passionate about traveling in their fifth-wheel trailer to various service projects with the SOWERS (Servants on Wheels Ever Ready) group. After fifty-two years of marriage, Gerrit went to be with his Lord on October 30, 2003.

     Julia loved attending church where she was surrounded by family and a community that she had been a part of for decades. She was also a faithful member of Women of Faith, a church bible study group. Julia had a quiet, servant heart and hands that were always ready to help or to hold the grandchildren and great-grandchildren that were such an important part of her life. She worked hard and loved deeply, and she will be missed by her family and friends.

     Family would like memorials to be directed to: Justice For All, 1335 Valley Drive, Rock Valley, IA 51247