Freda Spoelstra
Freda Spoelstra
Freda Spoelstra
December 31, 1927 – March 19, 2014
New Sharon, Iowa | Age 86
Freda Spoelstra, 86, of New Sharon was surrounded by her family when she went to be with the Lord Wednesday, March 19, 2014, while being cared for at the MHP Hospice Serenity house in Oskaloosa. She was born December 31, 1927, in Mahaska County, the daughter of John and Dirkie Van Zee Vander Streek.
Freda graduated from Pella High School with the class of 1945. For eight years following high school she worked at the Marion County Bank in Pella. All the while she was waiting for the love of her life to return from his service to our country. Upon his return, Freda was united in marriage to Harold Spoelstra at her parents’ home on August 19, 1953.
Following their marriage they moved to Harold’s family’s farm near New Sharon. The two of them would spend the rest of their lives on that farm. Together they farmed and Freda cared for her family and home. Freda was the bookkeeper for the farm operation, she was still doing the books up until January of 2014.
Freda’s children and family where the center of her world. She was a faithful member of the Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Oskaloosa where she enjoyed Bethel Bible Hour and teaching Sunday School. She enjoyed traveling with Harold, doing word find puzzles, sewing and crocheting. She delighted most in having her family around her.
Her family includes her husband of over 60 years Harold Spoelstra of New Sharon; eight children: Larry Spoelstra of New Sharon, Edwin (Karen) Spoelstra of Leighton, Donald Spoelstra of New Sharon, Linda (Mark) Franje of New Sharon, Steven (Brenda) Spoelstra of New Sharon, Mark (Staci) Spoelstra of New Sharon, Merlin (Andrea) Spoelstra of New Sharon and Ruth (Michael) Veenstra of Oskaloosa; twenty grandchildren: Stephanie (Travis) McCuen, Randal (Amy) Spoelstra, Teresa (Zachary) Whitehead, Eric (Andrea) Franje, Danielle Franje (fiancé Devin Veenstra), Jacob Spoelstra, Lisa Spoelstra, Phillip Spoelstra, Thomas Spoelstra, Kevin Spoelstra, Katie Spoelstra, Ashley Spoelstra, Angela Spoelstra, Aubrey Spoelstra, Melvin Spoelstra, Jonathan Veenstra, Brett Veenstra, Emma Veenstra, Scott Veenstra, and Megan Veenstra; two great grandchildren: Landon Morrow and Blakely Franje; two sisters: Beulah Blom of Pella and Norma (Harley) Van Weelden of Pella; brothers and sisters in law: Elvera Spoelstra (Cornelius’ widow) and Wilma Spoelstra (Arie’s widow) and Edith (John N.) Van Zee; and many nieces and nephews.
Freda was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter in infancy: Delores Anne Spoelstra; three brothers in law: Chuck Blom, Cornelius Spoelstra and Arie Spoelstra.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 22, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. in the Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Oskaloosa with Pastor Doug Vander Pol officiating.
A family prayer service will be at 10:15 AM in the church fellowship hall.
Burial will be in the Oakwood Cemetery in Pella, Iowa. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Visitation will begin Friday morning after 11 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral home from 5-8 p.m. Friday evening to greet friends and relatives.
Memorials may be made to Oskaloosa Christian Grade School or MHP Hospice Serenity House.
