Deborah C. Haan

Deborah C. Haan, 84, of Sioux Center went to be with her Lord in glory on Monday, October 2, 2006 in Sioux Center, after several months of declining health.

Memorial Service will be held Friday, October 6, 2006 at 11am at First Christian Reformed Church of Sioux Center with Rev. Mark Verbruggen officiating. Interment will be held prior in Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center.

A prayer service will be held Friday, October 6, 2006 at 10am at Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center.

Visitation will be held Thursday, October 5, 2006 at First Christian Reformed Church of Sioux Center from 2-8:30pm with the family present from 6:30-8:30pm.

The Haan family prefers memorials be made in her name to the B.J. and Deborah Haan Teacher Education Scholarship, c/o Dordt College, Sioux Center, IA.

Deborah was born June 10, 1922, in Grand Rapids Michigan to Elze and Mamie (Hamstra) Harkema. She received her education in the Grand Rapids Christian school system, and attended Calvin College for three years.

On July 21, 1942 she was united in marriage to Bernard John Haan in Grand Rapids, Michigan. They served the German Valley, Illinois Christian Reformed Church for 3 years and the First Christian Reformed Church of Sioux Center for 18 years. From Dordt's beginning until Bernard's retirement in 1982, she stood by his side while he served as the college's president. As the president's wife she often graciously opened her home to Christian leaders from around the world. In their retirement years, they loved to travel while promoting Christian education. Her husband of 52 years, Rev. B.J. Haan, passed away on Dec. 8, 1994.

Deborah was a faithful member of the First C.R.C. of Sioux Center where she attended the Golden Hour Society and served as their Bible study leader for many years. She served as a teacher for the Friendship Bible Class, and as a pastoral assistant; she taught catechism and led the girls society. She was also a past president of the Siouxland Missionary Union.

As a loving and giving wife and mother, she enjoyed cooking, crocheting, sewing, reading, singing, playing games, and attending her grandchildren's activities.

These are some of the ways she served the community: as a speaker for many women's organizations, a volunteer at the hospital, as president of the Christian School Guild (she was one of the founding mothers of the soup supper),and as a director of plays and pageants. Her voice was heard for twenty years on KDCR as the hostess of From the Family Room. One of her final contributions to the Christian community was the Dordt College 50th Anniversary graduation speech. She leaves with all of us a legacy of love for the Lord's Kingdom.

Treasuring her memory are her children: Katie Lynn Haan, Charles Elson (Ethel) Haan, Deborah Bernice(Daryl) Hibma, Bernard John Jr. (Brenda) Haan all of Sioux Center; Mamie Lou (Wiebo) Ludwig of Hythe, Alberta, Canada, and Enno Ryan (Lois) Haan of Delavan, Wisconsin. Holding her in high respect are her 27 grandchildren and many great grandchildren.

Deborah was preceded in death by her parents; her husband B.J.; her sister, Margie Mulder; a grandson Seth Haan; and a daughter-in-law Sharon Haan.