Virginia V. Sytsma
Virginia V. Sytsma
Virginia V. Sytsma
February 23, 1928 – April 16, 2013
Oskaloosa, Iowa | Age 85
Loving Mother and Grandmother
Virginia Violet Sytsma, 85, of Oskaloosa, died Tuesday, April 16, 2013, at the Northern Mahaska Care Center in Oskaloosa.
Virginia was born February 23, 1928, in Oskaloosa, the daughter of Adam Edmund Crile and Vida Violet Hawkinson Crile. Early in life, she worked at the old Continental Overall Factory in Oskaloosa. On February 20, 1947, she was united in marriage to Rodney Price Sytsma, at the home of her parents, south of Rose Hill. Rodney and Virginia lived in Tracy for a few months, but later moved to a farm east of Oskaloosa, where they lived for more than fifty years. Rodney and Virginia raised five children on that farm.
Virginia had to learn to cook and bake bread to make that farm a reality. Not only did Virginia learn these skills, she nearly perfected them. Her homemade bread, served fresh with her homemade strawberry jelly, still makes her family hungry. She grew food and made meals in difficult times, and, even so, she made meals worth remembering.
Virginia was a very talented seamstress. Her family has a fantastic collection of quilts to display her love of quilting. She also enjoyed doing embroidery work and good old-fashioned gospel songs. The reunions of the 3rd Armored Division, Company D, with whom Rod served, where always events she looked forward to attending. She was a member of the Swedish Ladies Aide Society of Mahaska County for many years.
On February 25, 2009, Rodney passed away. Shortly after that, Virginia moved to Northern Mahaska Care Center where she enjoyed the company of other residents and participating in the daily activities.
Virginia’s family includes a daughter, Lila (& Gary) Capps of Oskaloosa; four sons, Curt Sytsma (& Ellen King) of Des Moines, Dale (& Carla) Sytsma, Rodney Zane Sytsma, and Russ (& Valerie) Sytsma all of Oskaloosa; seven grandchildren, Justin Sytsma, Sara Bonnett, Anthony Capps, Afton Sytsma, Landon Sytsma, Eric Sytsma, and Joshua Sytsma; eleven great grandchildren and step great grandchildren; a sister, Maxine (& Ardith Carl) Martin of Delta; and many other members of her extended family.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Bernard E. Crile; and a sister, Lucille DeWitt.
Graveside funeral service and burial will be held Saturday, April 20, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. in the Porter Grove Cemetery near Pella, with Pastor Dwayne Poe officiating.
A procession will form at the Bates Funeral Chapel at 10:20 a.m. on Saturday for those wishing to attend the ceremony. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Visitation will begin Friday morning after 10:30 in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel from 6-8 Friday evening to greet friends and relatives.
Memorials may be made to the Northern Mahaska Care Facility Activity Fund.
