Esther Lucille Kempenaar

May 11, 1917 - May 7, 2019

Esther Lucille Dykstra-Stainbrook-Kempenaar, 101, went home to her heavenly father on Tuesday May 7, 2019. She was born at the Dykstra family home on May 11, 1917, the daughter of Nicholas and Minnie Walraven Dykstra. As a very young girl she learned to work hard. She was able to finish country school through 8th grade, as she was needed at home to tend the home while her mother was ill. She also worked with horses in the fields alongside her father and brothers. She married Carl Stainbrook on September 1, 1939. He passed away on August 3, 1970. At the age of 58. Carl and Esther raised 5 children together. Times weren’t always so easy but they worked together and made it work. Carl worked for the State Highway Commission and was a master gardener. Esther was the greatest of the canners. She could preserve anything. The Stainbrock home was a busy place. Always welcoming friends and family. On November 5, 1985 Esther married William (Rius) Kempenaar. They traveled through out the U.S. and enjoyed the different places. Rius passed away October 2000. Esther was an active member of First Assembly of God Church in Oskaloosa and a charter member of the OK Bunch. The over 50 years group. She was the right hand to her daughter in having huge yard sales for the Boys and Girls Missionary Challenge. She also helped with the end of month meals sponsored by the local churches. She was a member of the Know Your Neighbor Club for 60 plus years. She rang the bells at Christmas time for 23 years and especially loved visiting with the people as she didn’t know a stranger. Esther is survived by her five children; Carol Scholtus of Fremont, Janice Harding of Beacon, Ronald Stainbrook of Des Moines, Dale Stainbrook of New Orleans, Louisiana, Sheryl Naatgeboren of Pella; twelve grandchildren, many great grandchildren; two brothers, Vernon Dykstra and Marion (Ruth) Dykstra all of Bussey. In addition to her two husbands, Esther was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Virgil Dykstra and Merle Dykstra; a grandson, William Stainbrook; a great granddaughter, Jessica Stainbrook; a great grandson Andrew Scholtus; two sons in law, Kenneth Harding and Marion Scholtus; and a sister, Bernice Ruth Dykstra. Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 11, 2019, at 10:30 a.m. in the First Assembly of God Church in Oskaloosa with Reverend Michael Dotson officiating. Burial will be in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin Friday after 11 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel from 6-8 Friday evening to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to First Assembly of God Church or Mahaska Health Foundation to benefit the Serenity House.