Gertrude "Gert" Doris (Huenink) Graaskamp

Gertrude “Gert” Doris Graaskamp (nee Veldman), resident of Pine Haven Christian Home (Giddings Ave.) passed away into glory on December 31, 2024. She was 95 years old. She was born on November 17, 1929, on the family homestead in rural Sheboygan Falls, to Peter and Jennie (Schaap) Veldman. She attended Starlight School for grades 1 through 8, Graduated from Sheboygan Falls High School in 1947, and attended the Sheboygan Business College. She loved growing up on the family farm with her siblings (located on Hwy O and Rangeline Rd) and helping with the chores.

On October 27, 1951, she married La Monte Edwin Huenink. Gert and La Monte ran the Lakeside Cheese Factory in the 1950's, before moving to live in Cedar Grove. After La Monte surprised her by telling her that he bought a house at an auction, she was so happy and lived in that same house for almost 60 years. Sadly, La Monte passed away on February 22, 1964, and Gert was faced with raising three boys on her own. Gert was a hard worker and provided for her family by first working some part-time jobs before working at the Cedar Grove Bakery, and at Holiday Trims in Belgium for 20 years. She retired in 1991. She married Winfred Graaskamp on April 17, 1971, who proceeded her in death in 1984.

Gert was a member of Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Cedar Grove. Like her mother, she loved gardening and planting and caring for her flowers. She loved birds and enjoyed cake decorating. She also was big into crafts. She would crochet and knit anything from afghan blankets to scarfs, hats, mittens, and even special wrist sweat bands for the grandkids. She finished many art craft items and decorations that she even had her boys help with. She enjoyed doing embroidery and she made over 20 quilts for her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Whether it was with her family, years ago, or her sons and their wives, and especially the grandchildren, she loved playing card games, other games and putting puzzles together. She always credited God for helping her throughout her life as she raised her three boys. Her boys were her life. She cherished time with siblings and their spouses, her sons and daughter-in-laws, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Gert is survived by her sons James (Sandra) Huenink of Sheboygan Falls; Dennis (Bonnie) Huenink of Oostburg and Michael (Mary) Huenink of Cedar Grove; step-daughter Judy (James) (nee Graaskamp) Huenink; grandchildren Christopher (Angie) Huenink, Nathan Huenink, Matthew (Elizabeth) Huenink, Jordan Huenink, Erin Huenink, Samuel Huenink, Steven (Kelly) Huenink, Tyler (Pamela) Huenink, Adam (Alex) Huenink and Joshua Huenink; step-grandchildren; great-grandchildren Caitlyn & Donovan, Adelyn, Savannah, Arlo & Colette, Evangeline & William, Hazel, Edwin & Louisa, Andrew & Joanna, and Micah. She is also survived by her sister Sharon (Ronald) Petrauski.

She was proceeded in death by her husband, La Monte Huenink, parents Peter & Jennie Veldman, parents-in-law Edwin & Garlie Huenink, step-mother Velma Veldman, husband, Winfred Graaskamp; sisters and brother-in-laws, Delores (Lloyd) Hoitink, Helen (Howard) Bimmel, brother and sister-in-law Willard (LaVerne) Veldman; sister-in-law Phyllis (Wesley) Obbink and brother-in-law Carrol (Ellen) Huenink; and great-grandchild Glory Theresa Huenink.

A funeral service to celebrate Gert’s life will be held at Calvary OPC on Monday, January 6, 2025, at 11:00am. She will be laid to rest next to La Monte at Sunrise Memorial Gardens.

Relatives and friends may greet the family at church from 9:00am until the time of service.

Memorials are appreciated in Gert’s name to Calvary OPC.

Gert’s family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Pine Haven Christian Home (Giddings) and Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice for their compassionate care, and to the staff of Wenig Funeral Home.