Martha met the love of her life Harold Nieuwsma at church youth group. On June 1, 1945, they were married at Eddyville and they farmed in Mahaska County for much of their married life. She loved her husband faithfully for nearly 52 years until his unexpected death on February 22, 1997, separated them. Martha moved into Oskaloosa following her loss.
She was a charter member of Bethel Christian Reformed, Oskaloosa. She was a devoted wife and mother; she will be remembered as a beautiful and quiet person of strength fortitude, loyalty and faith in God. She devoted her life to God and caring for her family.
Her family includes their children: Duane(Barb)Nieuwsma, Byron Center, Michigan, Karen(Rich)Towers of Urbandale, Marcia(Brad)Kuiper of Gretna, Nebraska, Marianne(Fred) Steensma of Pella, Linda(Bob)Oldenkamp of Sanborn, Iowa, Elaine(Len)DeBolster of Oakville, Ontario, Canada, David(Sandy)Nieuwsma of Sigourney, Donna(Jeff)Tucker of Springfield, Missouri, Kathy(Mike)Boman of Hospers, Iowa; a daughter-in-law: Chris Nieuwsma of rural New Sharon; 31 grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren; a brother and his wife, Ernest and Betty Klaaren of Oskaloosa; and three sisters: Evelyn(Byron) Engelhoven of Oskaloosa, Mildred(Gilbert)Visser of West Lafayette, Indiana, and Marilyn Jones of Greenville, Texas.
Besides her husband, Martha was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Daryl Nieuwsma; and a grandson, Brandon Oldenkamp.
Funeral services will be held Monday, April 2, 2012, at 11 am in the Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Oskaloosa with Martha's son, Reverend Duane Nieuwsma officiating. Burial will be in the Forest Cemetery at 10 am Monday preceding the funeral ceremony. For those wishing to attend the committal service, a procession will form at the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa by 9:40 Monday morning. There will be a Family Prayer Service Monday at 10:45 am in the fellowship hall of the church. Visitation will begin at the Bates Funeral Chapel on Sunday after 11 am, and the family will be at the funeral chapel on Sunday from 5:30-8:30 pm to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be designated to Bethel Christian Reformed Church Building Fund or Gideons International.
February 24, 1929 - November 7, 2020
Obituary for Ernest Klaaren
Ernest Klaaren, 91, of Oskaloosa, passed away Saturday morning, November 7, 2020, at the Oskaloosa Care Center. Ernest John Klaaren, son of Wilfred James and Anna Jacoba Wilhelmina (Cornelissen) Klaaren, was born February 24, 1929, at his parents' home near Leighton, Iowa. The family soon moved to a farm near Eddyville, where Ernie attended numerous country schools, including Coal Field School. He graduated from Eddyville High School in 1947 and then went to work at Morrell's Meat Packing Plant in Ottumwa.
Ernie married the love-of-his-life, Betty Jean Van Zetten, on September 22, 1950, at Central Reformed Church in Oskaloosa. He and Betty made their home in Oskaloosa until he was inducted into the U.S. Army, February 26, 1951. He was initially trained in Indiana and then was sent to serve in Germany. Following his discharge, Ernie returned to Mahaska County, and he and Betty settled on a farm near Fremont. Ernie enjoyed raising Angus cattle and hogs besides field crops. When he and Betty moved to Oskaloosa in 1991, Ernie farmed for nearly 40 years.
Ernie liked to volunteer, taking people to doctors' visits and other appointments, and while in Fremont, he kept the township cemeteries mowed. He and Betty were active in the Mahaska Country Conservation Commission for over 30 years. They spent countless hours cleaning up dumpsites and improving the countryside. Ernie and Betty made many dear friends while farming near Fremont; monthly card club with friends was a tradition they maintained for over 50 years. Ernie served as a 4-H leader when his children were young; he enjoyed attended their ballgames and continued to enjoy attending high school sporting events even after his children had graduated.
Ernie was a member of the Central Reformed Church; he served as an elder over the years and belonged to the Men's Brotherhood. In his retirement years, he took many work trips with the church and served with Habitat for Humanity. He took great pride in keeping the church's hedges and bushes neatly trimmed, as well as helping many others with their yard work too. During the numerous years that Ernie farmed, he enjoyed his dogs' companionship and often treated them with an ice cream cone when he was in Fremont on business. Ernie's faith was the foundation of his life; he lived the Golden Rule each day. His family recalls he could sometimes be heard singing hymns while he worked.
Ernie's family includes a son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Mary Klaaren of New Lenox, IL; two daughters and sons-in-law: Susan and Bruce Thornal of Greeley, CO and Beth and Steve Terpstra of Oskaloosa; four grandchildren and their spouses: Heather and Scott Gilroy of Cedar Falls, IA, Wes and Holly Terpstra of Oskaloosa; Zachary Klaaren of Chicago, IL and Zoe Klaaren (fiancé -Austin Murray) of Washington, IL; two step-granddaughters: Jenn and Shane Bauman and Krista Lancaster, all of Castle Rock, CO; five great-grandchildren and six step-great-grandchildren; a sister, Marilyn Jones of Greenville, TX; four brothers-in-law and two sisters-in-law: Byron Engelhoven of Oskaloosa, Gilbert Visser of Oskaloosa, IA; Lawrence and Claudia Van Zetten of Custer, SD, and Jim and Diane Van Zetten of Grand Rapids, MI.
In addition to his parents and his wife of 64, Ernie was preceded in death by an infant son, Ernest Gene; an infant great-grandson, Noah Gilroy; three sisters and a brother-in-law: Martha and Harold Nieuwsma, Evelyn Engelhoven and Mildred Visser; and a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Helen and Clarence Van Heukelom.
A private graveside service with Pastor Marvin Knoot of Central Reformed Church officiating will be held for Ernest at Forest Cemetery. Those wishing to view the service will be posted to Langkamp Funeral Chapel's YouTube channel on Wednesday afternoon. A visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday, at Langkamp Funeral Chapel. According to the rules put in place by the Iowa Department of Public Health, proper social distancing and appropriate personal protective equipment are advised for attending this public event. Memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer Association or the Central Reformed Church Building fund.
Betty Jean Klaaren was born, October 18, 1932, in Oskaloosa, Iowa to
Ralph and Jennie(Vander Meden)Van Zetten.
She was a 1950 graduate of Oskaloosa High School where she was named the salutatorian
of her class.
Betty married the love-of-her-life, Ernest John Klaaren, September 22, 1950, at Central Reformed Church in Oskaloosa. Ernie entered the Army in February 1951; while he was in his initial training in Indiana, Betty moved there with him. Betty came back to Oskaloosa to live with her parents when Ernie was sent to Germany. After Ernie's return from the military, Betty and Ernie moved to a farm near Fremont and eventually purchased the farm and built a new home. Those were busy days for Betty with three children to care for in addition to helping her husband on the farm. In 1961, Betty took a job with McCurdy Seeds in Fremont as a secretary/bookkeeper. Over the next several years she worked in various other offices including an insurance office and a physician's office.
Betty was a life-long member of Central Reformed Church and over the years served in numerous capacities including: organist and pianist, and Bible school teacher. As a young mother, she was a member of Phoebe Sisters. Later she was a member of Ladies Aide and she helped in the Kitchen for countless weddings and funerals. Betty volunteered extensively in the Fremont and Oskaloosa communities, of her greatest passions was for the Mahaska County Conservation Commission which she served or over 30 years. Betty loved music and also enjoyed expressing her creativity in painting, needlepoint, embroidery, and cross-stich. Betty always had a large garden and spent many hours canning and freezing. While living near Fremont, she and Ernie made many dear friends and even after moving into Oskaloosa in 1991, they continued meeting with their monthly card club.
Betty's family includes her husband of 64 years, Ernie of Oskaloosa; a son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Mary Klaaren of New Lenox, IL; two daughters and sons-in-law: Susan and Bruce Thornal of Westminster, CO and Beth and Steve Terpstra of Oskaloosa; four grandchildren and their spouses: Heather & Scott Gilroy of Cedar Falls, IA, Wes & Holly Terpstra of Oskaloosa; Zachary Klaaren and Zoe Klaaren, both of New Lenox, IL; two step-granddaughters and their spouses: Jenn and Shane Bauman and Krista and Kevin Lancaster, all of Castle Rock, CO; four great-grandchildren and six step-great-grandchildren; two brothers and their wives: Lawrence & Claudia Van Zetten of Custer, SD and Jim & Diane Van Zetten of Grand Rapids, MI; three sisters-in-law and their husbands: Evelyn(Byron)Englehoven of Oskaloosa, Mildred(Gilbert)Visser of West Lafayette, IN and Marilyn Jones of Greenville, TX.
In addition to her parents, Betty was preceded in death by an infant son, Ernest Gene; an infant great-grandson, Noah; a sister and brother-in-law, Helen and Clarence Van Heukelom and a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Martha and Harold Nieuwsma.
January 4, 1931 - May 12, 2018
Obituary for Evelyn Ruth Engelhoven
Evelyn Ruth Engelhoven, 87, of Oskaloosa, died Saturday, May 12, 2018, at Crystal Heights Care Center in Oskaloosa. She was born Sunday, January 4, 1931, in rural Oskaloosa, the daughter of Wildred and Anna Cornelissen Klaaren. She graduated from Eddyville High School with the Class of 1949.
On August 9, 1950, Evelyn was united in marriage to Byron Engelhoven at the 1st Reformed Church in Eddyville. Evelyn was a homemaker her whole life. She was a wonderful cook, she enjoyed maintaining her large garden and sewing. Early on she was a member of the 1st Reformed Church in Eddyville and she taught Sunday School there. She later transferred her membership to Central Reformed Church in Oskaloosa and was very active in the women's circle and teaching Sunday School.
She is survived by her husband of almost 68 years: Byron Engelhoven of Oskaloosa; two sons: Lowell (& Kathy) Engelhoven of Oskaloosa and Vernon (& Beth) Engelhoven of Cedar; four grandchildren: Kyle Engelhoven, Blake (& Genelle) Engelhoven, Kristine and Katie Engelhoven; a brother: Ernest Klaaren of Oskaloosa; a sister: Marilyn Jones of Greenville, Texas; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a son: Loren Engelhoven; two sisters: Martha Nieuwsma and Mildred Visser; and a sister-in-law: Betty Klaaren.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 15, 2018, at 10:30 A.M. in the Central Reformed Church in Oskaloosa with Reverend Jon Nelson officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery in Leighton. Visitation will begin Monday, May 14, 2018, after 12 P.M. in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be present at the funeral chapel Monday from 5 - 7 P.M. to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to the Central Reformed Church in Oskaloosa.
Byron Engelhoven, age 92 of Oskaloosa, passed away on Monday, November 21, 2022, at
his home in Oskaloosa.
He was born on November 14, 1930, in Mahaska County the son of Evert and Willena
(Plette) Engelhoven.
He attended country school until the 8th grade.
Following school, he stayed home and continued to help on the family farm until his
retirement.
In August of 1950, he was united in marriage to Evelyn Klaaren. Evelyn passed away in May of 2018. Byron and Evelyn moved to Oskaloosa in 1997 after Byron retired. Following retirement, he worked at the Southern Iowa Fairgrounds and volunteered at Share. He was a member of Central Reformed Church in Oskaloosa, where he had served as a Deacon, taught Sunday School and ushered for many years. He had been a member of the Mahaska County Historical Society Board and enjoyed helping at the Nelson Pioneer Farm. Byron enjoyed going to the races, antique cars and tractors.
He is survived by his children, Lowell (Kathy) Engelhoven of Oskaloosa and Vernon (Beth) Engelhoven of Cedar; four grandchildren, Kyle Engelhoven, Blake (Genelle) Engelhoven, Kristine Engelhoven and Katie Engelhoven; a great grandson, Kayden Engelhoven; two sister-in-laws, Irene Engelhoven of Oskaloosa and Marilyn Jones of Texas and a brother-in-law, Gilbert Visser; and many nieces and nephews.
Byron was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn Engelhoven; his parents; a son, Loren Engelhoven; a sister, June Vonk; a brother, Garlyn Engelhoven; brothers and sisters-in-law, Melvin Vonk, Mildred Visser, Betty and Ernest Klaaren, and Harold and Martha Nieuwsma.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 26, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at the Central Church in Oskaloosa with Pastor Jon Nelson officiating. There will be a family prayer service at 10:15 Saturday morning in the east lounge of the church. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery near Leighton. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin Friday after 11:00 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel from 5-7 Friday evening to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to Central Church.
Mildred Arlene Visser, 82, of West Lafayette, passed away on Friday, October 16, 2015
in IU Health Arnett.
She was born on January 10, 1933 on a farm in Wapello County, Iowa to the late Wilfred
James and Anna Jacoba Wilhelmina (Cornelissen) Klaaren.
Mildred graduated from Eddyville High School in 1951.
On October 12, 1951 she married Gilbert Leroy Visser in Eddyville.
He survives.
Mildred was a homemaker and member of Community Reformed Church, Lafayette. She enjoyed painting and pottery.
Surviving with her husband, Gilbert Leroy Visser of West Lafayette are her children, Joyce Eileen Spurr of Delphi, Brent (Renae) Ranier Visser of Andover, MN, and Steven (Sari) Carl Visser of West Lafayette. Also surviving is a brother, Ernest Klaaren of Oskaloosa, IA; sisters, Evelyn (Byron) Englehoven of Oskaloosa, IA and Marilyn Jones of Greenville, TX; 7 grandchildren, Christopher, Lisa, Kristy, Nicolé, Kelsey, Nadia, and Alexander; and 5 great grandchildren, Issac, Elliot, Benjamin, Lila, and Ellie.
She was preceded in death by infant twin daughters, an infant son, and a sister, Martha Nieuwsma.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, October 19, 2015 at 7 p.m. at Community Reformed Church (2501 S. 18th St.) in Lafayette. A funeral service will be held at the Central Reformed Church (815 2nd Ave.) in Oskaloosa, Iowa on Saturday, October 24, 2015 at 2 p.m. with interment following in Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Memorial donations may be made to the donor's favorite charity in memory of Mildred.