Mrs. Berdella Heemstra, age 83, of rural Granville, passed away on Sunday, November 8, 2009, at the Royale Meadows Care Center in Sioux Center.

There will be a memorial service on Wednesday, November 11, at 10:30am, at the First Reformed Church in Hospers. The Rev. Milton Sikkema will officiate. Interment will be prior to the service at the Hospers Cemetery. There will be a prayer service on Wednesday, at 9:30am, at the church.

Visitation will be after 4:30pm on Tuesday, with the family present from 6:00pm to 8:00pm, at the CHURCH. Arrangements are with the Oolman Funeral Home in Hospers.

Berdella was born on April 17, 1926, in rural Hospers, the daughter of Cornie and Sena (Jurink) Rensink. She was raised at Newkirk, where she attended elementary school. Her family then moved closer to Hospers, where she graduated from high school in 1943.

On December 19, 1946, she married Albert R. Heemstra at the First Reformed Church in Hospers. They farmed in the Hospers-Granville area, where she was a homemaker. In October of this year, they moved to Kosgrove Estate, near Sioux Center, and on October 29, she transferred to Royale Meadows.

Mrs. Heemstra was a member of the First Reformed Church, where she was involved in the women's activities and taught Sunday school classes. She also belonged to the Reuter American Legion Auxiliary in Hospers.

She enjoyed gardening, crocheting, baking, hosting family gatherings, and attending her grandchildren's activities.

Survivors include her husband of almost 63 years, Al; two sons and their wives, Larry and Bev Heemstra, of Le Mars; and Ron and Val Heemstra, of Sioux Center; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, Matthew Heemstra, and his wife, Alyssa, and their daughters, Cora and Madeline; Lacey, and her husband, Joe Hubers, and their son, Elijah; Kim, and her husband, Kevin Bosma, and their daughter, Malia; Kayla Heemstra; and Kyle Heemstra; and a brother and his wife, Henry and Delores Rensink, of Sheldon.

She was preceded in death by a brother and his wife, Gilbert and Kathryn Rensink.

Memorials may be directed to the Reuter American Legion Auxiliary.