Nelda VanEss

Nelda VanEss, 99, of Oostburg met her Lord and Savior on Monday morning, February 6, 2017 at Pine Haven Christian Home in Sheboygan Falls. Nelda was born on April 14, 1917 in Oostburg, the tenth of twelve children born to John and Nellie (Dirkse) Nyenhuis. Nelda graduated from Oostburg High School in 1934 and then worked at the telephone company in Oostburg up until the time of her marriage to James Van Ess on June 10, 1938. James preceded her in death on April 29, 1963 following 25 years of marriage. She was a devoted homemaker and worked at Hills Dept. Store in Sheboygan and Kool Kitchen/Northern Propane before her retirement in 1982. Nelda was the last remaining charter member at Bethel Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Oostburg. She was active in various church choirs her entire life, the Nyenhuis Quartet, and served as a Sunday school teacher and Superintendent for many years. She enjoyed reading, music, embroidery, knitting, playing cards and crossword puzzles. Over the years Nelda knitted hundreds of pairs of mittens and hats, oftentimes given to family and charity organizations. Nelda is survived by a daughter-in-law, Judy Van Ess of Sheboygan; four grandchildren, Lori Van Ess, Jim (Lilia) Van Ess, Jeff (Janet) Van Ess, and Lisa (Bill) Falcon; eleven great grandchildren; four great great grandchildren; one brother, Wilbert Nyenhuis of Sheboygan Falls; and two sisters-in-law, Helen Van Ess and Donna Van Ess, both of Oostburg. Nelda was preceded in death by her husband, James; a son, Stuart J. Van Ess; five sisters, Jen (Louis) Voskuil, Ann (Chester) Walvoord, Wilma (John) Daane, Esther (Isaac) Van Ess, and Mildred (James) Daane; five brothers, an infant Wilbert, Harry (Florence), Peter (Elfie), Harvey (Margaret), Elmer (Marie) Nyenhuis; and a sister-in-law, Elsie Nyenhuis. A funeral to celebrate Nelda's life will take place at Bethel OPC in Oostburg on Monday, February 13, 2017 at 10:30 am with the Rev. David Veldhorst officiating. Burial will take place at the Oostburg Cemetery in the Town of Holland. Family and friends may call at the church on Sunday from 3-5 pm and on Monday from 9:30 am until the time of the service at 10:30 am. A memorial fund is being established in her memory for Bethel OPC and Pine Haven Christian Communities. The Van Ess family would like to thank the staffs at Pine Haven Christian Home and the Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice for the dedicated and loving care shown to Nelda and her family. The staff of the Wenig Funeral Home in Oostburg (920-564-2771) is serving the Van Ess family.

Visitation

Sunday, February 12, 2017 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Bethel Orthodox Presbyterian Church
609 Center Avenue Oostburg 53070, United States

Visitation

Monday, February 13, 2017 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Bethel Orthodox Presbyterian Church
609 Center Avenue Oostburg 53070, United States

Service

Monday, February 13, 2017 10:30 AM
Bethel Orthodox Presbyterian Church
609 Center Avenue Oostburg 53070, United States