Claire Vander Weide

February 22, 1931 - April 25, 2022

Claire Helene (Oppenhuizen) Vander Weide was born February 22, 1931, to George and Gertrude (Bouma) Oppenhuizen at Rehoboth, New Mexico. She was baptized in the Naschitti Christian Reformed Church (New Mexico). When 13 years old, she professed her love to the Lord in the Sherman Street Christian Reformed church (Grand Rapids, Michigan.) It was there that she met Peter Vander Weide and after a 3 year courtship, married him on June 5, 1951. They spent 40 years in active ministry. Her life verse was Colossians 3:23 “and whatsoever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord and not Unto men.” Claire proved this verse as a pastor's wife and mother of 6 children: teaching Bible studies; and women's groups. She loved pretty things, especially flowers and making garments and quilts for her family. Her grandchildren were special to her and the object of daily prayers. In her later years she worked at Jaarsma's Bakery in Oskaloosa and was involved in Crossroads Bible Ministry. Claire is survived by 5 children: Trudy Jean Harwell of Oskaloosa; George Henry (Deb) Vander Weide of Grand Haven MI:Vincent Pierre (Amy) Vander Weide of Visalia, CA; Ruth Ellen (Jeffrey) Calland of Mason city, IA; Paul Edwin Vander Weide of Oskaloosa, IA. She is also survived by 7 grandsons; 7 granddaughters; 12 great grandchildren and one sister-in-law, Kathleen Oppenhuizen of Phoenix, AZ. She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Rev. Peter Vander Weide, her parents, her brothers Wilmer, Engelus, Hessel, Edwin, her sisters Agnes, Jean and Winerva and her daughter, Valerae Claire Murphy (Patrick). Funeral services will be held Monday, May 9, 2022, at 11:00 AM in the First Christian Reformed Church in Oskaloosa with Reverend Jonathan Spronk officiating. A Private Family Burial will be held in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa. Visitation with the family present will be held Sunday, May 8, 2022, from 2-4 PM in the Bates Funeral Chapel. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Memorials may be made to the Crossroads Bible Institute.