Cynthia Cleveringa

Cynthia Cleveringa, 97, of Sioux Center died Friday April 15, 2011 at the Royale Meadows Care Center of Sioux Center. A visitation will be held Monday from 4-8PM with the family present from 5:30-8PM at the Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center. A prayer service for family and friends will be held Tuesday at 2:00PM at the Memorial Funeral Home with Rev. Eric Dirksen officiating. Interment will follow the prayer service in the Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center. A memorial service will be held Tuesday at 3:30PM at the Carmel Reformed Church with Rev. Mark Heijerman officiating. The Cleveringa family prefer memorials be directed to the Foster Grandparent Program. Cynthia Cornelia Cleveringa was the tenth child born to Jacob and Kornelia Van Marel. She was born April 3, 1914, in Orange City, Iowa. She graduated from Orange City public school and often filled her younger days working for her older sisters. On December 29, 1936, she married Nicholas (Clarence) W. Cleveringa at her parent's home in Orange City. Cynthia and her husband, Clarence, raised their 4 children on the Cleveringa family farm, 1/2 mile east of Carmel for over 30 years. Much of Cynthia's time on the farm was spent assisting Clarence outside with the many farming activities. She also worked for a time at the sale barn restaurant and the Auto Dine Restaurant in Sioux Center. Cynthia was a member of the Plato Township Homemakers Organization and the Ladies Aid of the Carmel Reformed Church where she was a longtime member. Music was an important part of Cynthia's life. She enjoyed singing as a part of mixed quartets and choirs, and although she only had six formal piano lessons she taught herself to play and enjoyed playing many hymns. She liked all types of music but, hymns were her favorite. Cynthia had the gift of hospitality and was known for bringing food to any neighbor who was in need. She served as a 4-H leader for several years and following her retirement, Cynthia spent time blessing others as a Foster Grandparent at Hope Haven in Rock Valley, IA. Those left to cherish her memory are her children: Carolyn Odens and her husband, Richard of Sioux Falls, SD; Calvin Cleveringa and his wife, Lois of Sioux Center and Colleen Bomgaars of Sioux Center; son-in-law, Larry Bloemendaal and his wife Alice of Alton, IA; 17 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren, 10 great great-grandchildren; and numerous other family members. She is preceded in death by her husband Clarence W. Cleveringa; her parents; daughter, Elsie Bloemendaal; son-in-law, David Bomgaars; two grandchildren: Lisa Bloemendaal and Bradley Odens; five sisters: Henrietta Riphagen, Tena Van Marel, Irene Te Slaa, Mable Cleveringa, Gertrude Te Slaa and four brothers: Jake Van Marel, Arie Van Marel, William Van Marel, Irwin Van Marel.