Evadena DeBruin

Evadena DeBruin

University Park. Evadena DeBruin, 92, of University Park, died Monday, February 21, 2011, at the Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa. She was born on December 31, 1918, the daughter of Gysbert and Johanna Hol Roozeboom, in their farm home near Tracy. She was the oldest of seven children. Being the only daughter, she helped her mother with everything from making household soap to canning garden produce. Her brothers were: Arie, Henry, John, Gilbert, Henry, and Gerrit. Evadena’s first school experience was in the Tracy Consolidated School, where she attended kindergarten. She remembered riding to school in a ‘kid wagon’, a motorless school bus pulled by two horses. A kerosene heater gave a little warmth, and hot pieces of iron on the floor kept the kids’ feet from freezing. A sad memory of her school days was the death of her young brother, Henry (in kindergarten), from polio. Evadena completed eighth grade and graduated from Burr Oak School in Scott township on June 14, 1933. Evadena had a few piano lessons in her youth. Later, she would enjoy playing from the hymn book in the evening. A favorite she often played was, “I Need Thee Every Hour”.

On December 1, 1941, she was united in marriage to Ray DeBruin at Lancaster, Missouri. After more than 67 years of marriage, Ray died November 6, 2009. They farmed with his dad for a time until Ray was called up to go to the service. Ray was assigned to a base on Long Island, New York where Evadena experienced the violence of an east coast hurricane. The winds were so threatening that she came down from her second floor apartment to the safety of the first floor. Following the war, Evadena and Ray farmed rented land for a few years. In 1953, they purchased their farm in White Oak township. They made their home there until 1981, when they moved into their retirement home in University Park. Evadena was an excellent cook and made everything ‘from scratch’, often without the benefit of a recipe. It was a special day when the children came home from school to the fragrance of freshly-baked caramel rolls. She was a good soup maker and made her soup by adding ‘a little of this and a little of that’.

Grandchildren and great grandchildren were a bonus for Evadena and she enjoyed every single one. She gave each the unconditional love for which grandmothers are known. She was a longtime member of the First Christian Reformed Church, Oskaloosa, and had a strong belief in the power of prayer.

Her family includes her children and spouses: Joyce and Alvin Van Wyk of Ocheyedan, Iowa and their children Christi and David; Linda and Dick Milholland of Asheville, North Carolina; Harold and Ruth De Bruin of Fremont and their children Rex (Rachel), Joel (Hayley), Rachel (Will) Grant, and Heather (Randall) de Boer; Donna and Nich Frohardt of Sac City, Iowa and children Eric (Lea), Nicholas, Daniel (Rachael) and Robin; and Carol and Lawrence Hill of Alexander, North Carolina; thirteen great grandchildren; two brothers: Gilbert and Bertha Roozeboom of Pella and Gerrit and Matilda Roozeboom, Oskaloosa; five sisters in law: Evy Roozeboom, Pella and Pat Roozeboom of Knoxville; Anna DeBruin, Oskaloosa Nadine Stek of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Evelyn (& Thaymer) Jonker of Oak Lawn, Illinois; and a brother in law: Marvin (& Jeanette) DeBruin. Others who will cherish her memory are numerous cousins (in her words, ‘cousins by the dozens’), nephews, nieces, friends, and neighbors. The caregivers who helped her in the last months of her life also came to appreciate her subtle humor and her gentle spirit. They were special to her and she was special to them.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; and four brothers: Arie, John, and two brothers named Henry.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 24, 2011, at 1 p.m. in the First Christian Reformed Church in Oskaloosa with the Reverend Dale Visser officiating. Burial will be in the White Oak Cemetery, east of Oskaloosa. There will be a Family Prayer Service Thursday at 12:45 p.m. Visitation will begin at the Bates Funeral Chapel on Wednesday after 11 a.m., and the family will be at the funeral chapel on Wednesday from 5 – 7 p.m. to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to the Oskaloosa Christian School or to First Christian Reformed Church, Oskaloosa.

Source: Bates Funeral Chapel