Everna Van Der Schaaf

Everna Van Der Schaaf, 88, of Sioux Center, IA died Saturday, October 17, 2009 at Royale Meadows Care Center in Sioux Center.

A funeral service will be held Wednesday at 10AM at the First Reformed Church of Sioux Center with Rev. Arnold Punt officiating. Interment will follow in Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center.

Visitation will be held Tuesday at the First Reformed Church of Sioux Center from 4-8PM, with the family present from 5-7PM.

The Van Der Schaaf family prefers memorials to Royale Meadows Care Center, c/o Sioux Center Community Hospital Foundation.

Everna Van Der Schaaf was born November 1, 1920, to Henry and Allie (Van Putten) Huitink at their rural family home near Orange City, Iowa. Her childhood years were spent helping her family care for her Grandma Huitink. She received her education through the eighth grade at West Branch #4 rural country school and spoke often of how blessed she was for the opportunity to successfully complete her education.

She married Hein Van Der Schaaf of Sioux Center, on November 10, 1940. They made their home in Sioux Center, where Everna worked alongside her husband and their children on their family's dairy farm. Hein suffered a stroke in 1980, and she cared for him in their home until his death in September of 1986.

She and Hein were lifelong, active members of First Reformed Church of Sioux Center. Everna used her gift of music to serve her church family by participating in the Senior Choir and by assisting Hein with the church's sound system. She was also a member of the church's Lydia Circle and sang with the Farm Bureau Women's Chorus.

Everna was well known for her skilled crochet and quilt work, as well as for her love of music. One of her favorite things to do was cook large meals for her family and friends to enjoy. All were welcome to have a seat at her table until she was unable to live independently and became a resident of Royale Meadows Care Facility of Sioux Center.

She loved and trusted the Lord Jesus Christ and her desire was to have a close relationship with Him. She maintained this strong commitment to her faith by finding time for prayer and Bible study every day. Everna's favorite verse was 3 John 1:4 "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in the truth." The faith she instructed in her family home, she practiced for herself- dependence on God in every circumstance and love for His Word.

Everna leaves behind seven children who are grateful to have shared in their mother's life: Wanda and Stan Punt of Sioux Center; Connie and Bill Van Berkum of Sioux Center; Randy and Betty (Helmink) Van Der Schaaf of Sioux Center; Vickie and Ken Franken of Sutherland, IA; Wally Van Der Schaaf of Sioux Center; Betty and Gene Addink of Rapid City, SD; and Bob and April (Harger) Van Der Schaaf of Visalia, CA.

Her memories also will be cherished by her 48 grandchildren, 49 great grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren; her sister, Wilma Mouw of Orange City, IA; brother, Willard Huitink of Sioux Center; sister-in-law, Margaret Rensink of Sioux Center; and her special friends, Derek and Yvette Bowen and family of Le Mars, IA.

Everna was preceded in death by her husband Hein; her parents, Henry and Allie Huitink; Hein's parents, Ring and Minnie Van Der Schaaf; daughter-in-law Barbara (Bob) Van Der Schaaf; infant granddaughter; infant grandson, Barry; sister and brother-in-law, Eldora and Harold Kleinwolterink; sister-in-law, Bert Huitink; brother-in-law, Calvin Mouw and foster brother, Amos Buchanan.