Josephine Sytsma
Josephine Sytsma
Josephine Sytsma
March 20, 1924 – June 5, 2016
Oskaloosa, Iowa | Age 92
Josephine Systma, 92, of Oskaloosa passed away Sunday, June 5, 2016, at the Mahaska Health Partnership Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa. Johanna Josephine Sytsma, the youngest of nine children born to Peter Phillip and Henrietta (Van Heukelom) Olivier, was born March 20, 1924, in Black Oak Township, Mahaska County, Iowa.
Josephine was raised on a farm south of Rose Hill and attended school in Rose Hill.
Josephine’s faith was always of foremost importance to her. September 6, 1942, she and her future husband, Dannie Sytsma, were baptized in the Des Moines River, at the Bellefountain bridge by the Rev. T.A. Tousely of the Pella Open Bible Church. Josephine was united in marriage to Dannie Murry Sytsma, March 20, 1943, in Pella.
Josephine and Dannie began their life together living with Dannie’s parents on their farm. After three years, they moved to a farm in rural Eddyville, the farm they purchased in 1948. She and Dannie remained on the farm until 1993, at which time they moved to Oskaloosa.
Josephine was active in assisting Dannie with the farming activities and caring for her family. She had a large garden and enjoyed canning. She loved cooking and baking for her family, and always made sure no one went home hungry. Her sugar cookies were a family favorite.
Josephine was very independent and remained in her own home until after her 92 birthday. She was a member of the Assembly of God in Oskaloosa and was currently attending the Rose Hill Community Church. Josephine spent the last days of her life at the MHP Serenity House. Her family would like to express their gratitude for the kind compassionate care she received on her final journey home.
Josephine is survived by her daughter, Pauline Baxter of Oskaloosa; her sons and daughters-in-law: Eugene (& Sherry) Sytsma of Oskaloosa, Randy (& Sharon) Sytsma of Eddyville, and Owen (& Loretta) Sytsma of Oskaloosa; nine grandchildren: Daryl Sytsma, Belinda De Groot, David Baxter, Roger Baxter, Cory Sytsma, Amanda Vincent, Becky Boertje and Cody Sytsma; 15 great-grandchildren: Shelby Pinegar, Breanna, Faith, and Ryley Sytsma, Nicole De Groot Williams, Beth, Kelsey, and Sarah De Groot, Amber Patterson, Ross Baxter, Evie Systma, Eden Vincent, and Dawson, Jaxon, and Brooke Boertjie; and eight great-great-grandchildren: Noah, Elijah, and Adalyn Williams, Jacey Pinegar, and Axl, Zayla, Jlynn, and Jerryan Patterson.
In addition to her parents, Josephine was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Dannie on August 2, 2008; a son-in-law, Donald Baxter; a grandson, Ronnie Sytsma; three brothers: Richard, John and Edward Olivier; five sisters: Gertrude Veenendaal, Josephine Olivier as an infant; Bertha Uitermarkt, Tena Van Rees, and Margaret Uitermarkt Hampton Langstraat.
Funeral Services for Josephine will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, June 8, 2016, at the Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel with Rev. Del Bittner of the Rose Hill Community Church officiating.
Burial will be in Forest Cemetery.
Visitation will begin at 1 p.m., Tuesday, at the funeral chapel; the family will be present from 5-7 p.m. to greet visitors.
Memorials may be made to the MHP Serenity House.
Memories and condolences may be sent to the family by visiting the online guestbook at gvlfuneralchapel.com.
