Betty Mennega

Elisabeth "Betty" Mennega 82, passed away peacefully on March 14, 2015, at the age of 82 at Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD. She was a resident of Royale Meadows nursing home in Sioux Center, IA. A visitation will be held on Tuesday from 4-8PM, with the family present from 5-7PM at the Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday at 11:00AM at the Bethel Christian Reformed Church of Sioux Center with Rev. Duane Tinklenberg officiating. Interment will follow the service in Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center. The Mennega family prefer memorials be directed to: Bethany Christian Services, Adoption Services Fund, 123 Albany Avenue SE Suite 2, Orange City, Iowa 51041. Elisabeth "Betty" (Vriend) Mennega was born on July 16, 1932 to Jan and Hilda (Van Marle) Vriend in Andijk, Netherlands. She immigrated to Canada in 1950, and eventually moved to the United States where she graduated from Reformed Bible College, and then became an LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse). Betty married Al Mennega on June 20, 1958. Al and Betty moved to Sioux Center, IA in 1964, and started their family. Betty was a devoted mother and homemaker, and later worked at True Vine bookstore in Sioux Center for a number of years. She was a role model for many in being a strong Christian and her love for the Lord. She was a lifelong student of the Bible and enjoyed being part of Bible studies or leading them. She was a great cook and baker and was well known for her homemade bread and healthy cooking. She was also a seamstress and knitted and embroidered many beautiful items. She loved to be outside in the sunshine and was a avid reader, always asking for more books to read. When she worked at the bookstore she was well known for being able to find just the right book for customers since she had read most of them. She patiently endured her pain after her bike accident and was a source of inspiration for all who cared for her. Her one wish for her family was that they would love the Lord and be grateful for the things they had, something she modeled well. Betty is survived by her husband of 56 years, Al Mennega of Sioux Center; children: Yvonne (Dave) Thornton of Sioux Falls, SD, Ted (Barb) Hoeksema of Grand Rapids, MI, Annette (Tom) Van Voorst of Maurice, IA, Rene (Derrick) Buggs of Grand Rapids, MI, Dan Mennega of Austin, TX, Michelle (Dick) de Jong of Bodegraven, The Netherlands; 15 grandchildren: Emily, Bryce, Ian and Caleb Thornton; Samuel Hoeksema; Kodie (Kate), Kelsie, Kassidy, and Kolten Van Voorst; Shayla and Jordan Smith; Monique, Collin, Karina and Daniella de Jong and 4 great grandchildren: Nijayah, Christian, and Carliyah Smith and Malaysia Jackson. Betty also leaves behind one brother, Harry (Betty) Vriend, and five sister: Nellie (Gerry) Guetter, Willy (Bruce) Vander Kooi, Maryanne (Melvin) Elzinga, Grace (Bill) Van Staalduinen, and Joanne (Dave) Tigchelaar and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, Jan and Hilda (Van Marle) Vriend, stepmother, Anne (Kwantes) Vriend and a brother, Pieter Vriend.