Geraldine “Gerri” Ozinga
Geraldine “Gerri” Ozinga
Geraldine “Gerri” Ozinga
October 27, 1933 – September 28, 2023
Oskaloosa, Iowa | Age 89
Geraldine (Gerri) Ozinga, age 89, passed away Thursday, September 28, 2023, at the MHP Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa, surrounded by her loving family. She was born to John and Rena (Vonk) Rozenboom on October 27, 1933, the 3rd of 5 children.
Gerri had a strong work ethic and started working at a very young age, helping families when a new baby was born, taking care of the household duties and caring for the children.
On September 5, 1951, at the young age of 17, she married Melvin Ozinga, on his birthday. They were married 56 years until he passed away April 10, 2005.
Marvin Duane was born in 1952, Sandra Diane in 1953, followed by Sheryl Ann in 1960. She was a loving wife and mother. She helped on the farm and always had a garden from which she canned and preserved a lot of their food. She was also involved in church activities. Over the years she enjoyed and worked at several jobs including Dooley Manufacturing, Greeves Floral, and Lyles Jewelry store.
She always had beautiful flowers, but after moving to town in 1997, she went all out. Each year she did Melvin the favor of expanding her garden so he had less to mow. She made beautiful flower bouquets which she would deliver to someone in the hospital or to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and any special occasion. She also did flower arrangements for the church for many years.
If someone did something for her, she would always want to do something back. If it wasn’t a flower arrangement it would be baked goodies. She was especially known for her pies. If you shoveled her sidewalk, you were pretty much guaranteed a pie. At family gatherings she would make 8 or 9 pies for 20 people. She wanted to have everyone’s favorite and then of course take the rest home. But… “Don’t forget to bring back the pan!” And then there also had to be chocolate cake. Couldn’t leave anyone’s favorites out.
Gerri loved writing and receiving letters. She started writing to pen pals at age 13 and had those friends her whole life. Christmas cards were a big thing. She started getting her envelopes addressed in August and then writing the letter right before Christmas. She never knew what she was going to write until she just sat down and did it. It became a family joke who she was going to write about and what she was going to say. She wasn’t always 100% accurate!
For the last 2 ½ years Gerri has lived at White Oak Estates, where she enjoyed the company and the workers who became like family.
Gerri was a charter member of Bethel Christian Reformed church. She loved God and her family with a passion. Although we will miss her, she was ready to meet her maker. We take great comfort in that Gerri is safe in the arms of Jesus.
Geraldine is survived by her:
Son, Marvin and Sandy Ozinga and their children:
Brad (& Leah) Ozinga: Corban and Hadley
Tammi (& JW) Wight: Trey, Colton, and Emersyn
Andy (& Meghan) Ozinga: Kolter and Kenton
Kiley (& Jeremy) Lobberecht: Kinley, Kinzey, Wyatt, Breckin and Kaybrie
Daughter, Sheryl and David Wright and their children:
Casey (& Bridget) Wright
Cody (& Michelle) Wright: Charlotte and Calvin
Carley Wright and Markus Soppa
Sisters, Irene Engelhoven and Luella Nieuwsma; Sister-in-law, Nadine Rozenboom; very special nephew and his wife, Fred and Sabina DeJong, along with many dear nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Melvin Ozinga; daughter, Sandra Ozinga; sister, Dorothy and Sye Ryken; brother, Donald Rozenboom; Brothers-in-law, Garlyn Englehoven and Arvin Nieuwsma; Brother-in-law, Arnold (& Ruth) Ozinga; Brother-in-law, Jake (& Edna) Ozinga; Brother-in-law, Harold (& Ila) Ozinga; and Sister-in-law, Anna Mae (& Francis) DeJong.
Funeral services will be held Monday, October 2, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. in the Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Osklaoosa with Reverend Doug Van Der Pol officiating.
Burial will be in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Visitation will begin Sunday, October 1, 2023, after 11:00 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel. The family will be at the funeral chapel from 2-4 Sunday afternoon to greet friends and family.
Memorials may be made to MHP Hospice Serenity House or Bethel Christian Reformed Church.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Geraldine “Gerri” Ozinga please visit the Bates Funeral Chapel Sympathy Store.
