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Obituary of Grace Vanderwal
Grace Vanderwal (van Niejenhuis, nee Talsma)
On January 25th 2025, in her 90th year, the Lord called to glory His beloved child, our loving Mom, Oma, Beppe, sister and dear friend. Her unshakeable faith and generous hospitality impacted the lives of many.
Grace is survived by nine children, John (Margaret) van Niejenhuis, Louise (John) Deelstra, Grace van Niejenhuis, Sylvia (John) Eelman, Annette van Niejenhuis, William (Nancy) van Niejenhuis, David van Niejenhuis, Gerald (Jacqui) van Niejenhuis, Harold (Ching) van Niejenhuis, twenty-four grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren. Dear sister of Tettje & Harm Prins, Sjoukje (BarendϮ)Spek, Sarah (BillϮ) & Shannon Riley, Harmen & Carol Talsma, Helen (FredϮ) Westerman, and Gladys & John Vanderheyden, Cherished sister-in-law of John & Carol Heeringa and Bill Berentschot. Grace is also survived by her step-children and their families: Greta Eelkema, Grace dePutter, Henny (Stephen) Zylstra, and Diane Vanderwal. She will be lovingly remembered by the Talsma, van Niejenhuis and Vanderwal extended families.
Grace was predeceased by her husbands - Melle Vanderwal and John van Niejenhuis, by two of her children - Clarence and Tena, and by four of her siblings/inlaws - Anne (TiemenϮ) Korvemaker, Jerry (GraceϮ) Talsma, Mary Berentschot and Laura Heeringa. Grace was the last of her generation on the VanNiejenhuis side of the family having been predeceased by all 4 of her brothers-in-law and their spouses.
Grace (Grietje) was born in Aalsum, near Dokkum, in Friesland, the Netherlands, on July 4, 1935, and immigrated to Canada with her parents and siblings in 1951. She married John van Niejenhuis in 1954 and raised her children in Wyoming, Orono, Dungannon, and Goderich. In 2000, she married Melle Vanderwal and enjoyed many golden years in Holmesville.
Visitation and funeral service will be held on Thursday, January 30, 2025 at the Clinton Christian Reformed Church at 243 Princess St. E. Visitation from 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.; funeral service at 12:00. Family and friends are invited to a luncheon following the service where memories can be shared. Interment will take place at a later date in Maitland Cemetery, Goderich. To view the funeral service online, click here.
Donations to Christian Education in your community in memory of Grace Vanderwal would be appreciated.
"Safe in the arms of Jesus."
