Martha Nieuwsma
Martha Nieuwsma
Oskaloosa. Martha Lucille Nieuwsma, 84, of Oskaloosa, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday night, March 28, 2012, while being cared for at Crystal Heights Care Center in Oskaloosa. She was born June 14, 1927 at Leighton, the daughter of Wilfred and Anna Cornelissen Klaaren. Martha grew up on a farm near Eddyville, and her family attended the Eddyville Reformed Church. She graduated from the Eddyville High School with the class of 1945. Martha met the love of her life Harold Nieuwsma at church youth group. On June 1, 1945, they were married at Eddyville and they farmed in Mahaska County for much of their married life. She loved her husband faithfully for nearly 52 years until his unexpected death on February 22, 1997, separated them. Martha moved into Oskaloosa following her loss. She was a charter member of Bethel Christian Reformed, Oskaloosa. She was a devoted wife and mother; she will be remembered as a beautiful and quiet person of strength, fortitude, loyalty and faith in God. She devoted her life to God and caring for her family.
Her family includes their children: Duane (& Barb) Nieuwsma, Byron Center, Michigan, Karen (& Rich) Towers of Urbandale, Marcia (& Brad) Kuiper of Gretna, Nebraska, Marianne (& Fred) Steensma of Pella, Linda (& Bob) Oldenkamp of Sanborn, Iowa, Elaine (& Len) DeBolster of Oakville, Ontario, Canada, David (& Sandy) Nieuwsma of Sigourney, Donna (& Jeff) Tucker of Springfield, Missouri, Kathy (& Mike) Boman of Hospers, Iowa; a daughter-in-law: Chris Nieuwsma of rural New Sharon; 31 grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren; a brother and his wife, Ernest and Betty Klaaren of Oskaloosa; and three sisters: Evelyn (& Byron) Engelhoven of Oskaloosa, Mildred (& Gilbert) Visser of West Lafayette, Indiana, and Marilyn Jones of Greenville, Texas.
Besides her husband, Martha was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Daryl Nieuwsma; and a grandson, Brandon Oldenkamp.
Funeral services will be held Monday, April 2, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. in the Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Oskaloosa with Martha’s son, Reverend Duane Nieuwsma officiating. Burial will be in the Forest Cemetery at 10:00 a.m. Monday preceding the funeral ceremony. For those wishing to attend the committal service, a procession will form at the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa by 9:40 Monday morning. There will be a Family Prayer Service Monday at 10:45 a.m. in the fellowship hall of the church. Visitation will begin at the Bates Funeral Chapel on Sunday after 11 a.m., and the family will be at the funeral chapel on Sunday from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be designated to Bethel Christian Reformed Church Building Fund or Gideons International.
