Alice Hiemstra
Alice (Coehoorn) Hiemstra, 94, of Waupun, passed away March 9, 2017 at The Waupun Christian Home and Rehabilitation Center in Waupun, WI with her family by her side.
Alice was born March 28, 1922 in Rock Rapids, IA, the daughter of Jacob and Agnes (DeVries) Coehoorn. On January 30, 1942 she married Nanno Hiemstra in Clinton, WI. Soon after, Alice joined Nanno when he left for his basic training in Camp Barkley, TX where she worked in a war supply factory. When Nanno left to serve in WWII, she moved to Darien, WI. She suffered through months of not knowing her husband’s status while he was away. Her strong faith brought her through. It was the most joyous day when Nanno returned home. They started their family while farming in Sharon, WI. They moved to Brandon in 1969 to continue farming. Alice was a member of Bethel Reformed Church in Brandon. Alice loved being a wife, mother, and grandmother, and enjoyed keeping busy with cooking, baking, and all of her other domestic duties of raising nine children on a farm. After retirement they both enjoyed many years in Texas during the winter months. In recent years Alice especially enjoyed needlepoint, puzzles, and baking, but mostly loved visiting with family and friends.
Alice is survived by six sons: Alvin (Carol) Hiemstra of Beaver Dam, Wayne (Elaine) Hiemstra of Brandon, Les (Shelly) Hiemstra of Brandon, Robert Hiemstra (fiancé Karen) of Brandon, Lennis (Kay) Hiemstra of Ripon, and Arlin (Denise) Hiemstra of Brandon; three daughters: Lorraine (Milt) Papke of Winneconne, Karen (Jerry) Eisenga of Randolph, and Deb (David) Deaver of Eldorado; many grandchildren and their spouses; many great-grandchildren; sisters: Jeanette Logterman and Joan (Calvin) Logterman ; three sisters-in-law: Joan Coehoorn, Greta Neerhof, and Elma Hiemstra; and many nieces and nephews.
Alice was preceded in death by her husband, Nanno, in May 2015; her parents, Jacob and Agnes Coehoorn; son-in-law, Gordon Venema; three grandchildren: Robin Hiemstra, Faith Janaky, and Justin Eisenga; four brothers: Joe, Henry, Ralph, and Harold Coehoorn; two sisters: Irene Logterman and Gertie Coehoorn; and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
The family would like to thank Mission Regional Medical Center in Mission, TX, The Christian Home and Rehab Center in Waupun, and Generations Hospice for their wonderful care.
Funeral services for Alice Hiemstra will be held Wednesday, March 15, 2017 at 11 a.m. at Bethel Reformed Church in Brandon with Rev. John Tilstra officiating. Burial will follow at Brandon Cemetery. Friends and relatives may call on the family on Tuesday from 4-7 p.m. at Werner Harmsen Funeral Home in Waupun and on Wednesday at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service.
Werner-Harmsen Funeral Home of Waupun and staff are serving the family. Please visit our website at www.wernerharmsenfuneralhome.com for further information and to send condolences.