JoAnn Vande Kieft

September 10, 1928 - February 19, 2018

JoAnn Vande Kieft, 89, of Oskaloosa, died Monday, February 19, 2018, while under hospice care at the MHP Hospital in Oskaloosa. She was born September 10, 1928, in Oskaloosa, Iowa, the daughter of George and Jeanette Bouma Rooy. She attended Bloomfield Country School in Mahaska County. She graduated from Pella Christian High School with the class of 1946. Following graduation, JoAnn worked as a dental assistant for a dentist in Oskaloosa. On June 15, 1949, she was united in marriage to Marion Vande Kieft. Marion brought to their marriage his young daughter Joann Carol, whom JoAnn adored from the very beginning. To this union three children were born, Arlene, Marilou, and Ron. Following their marriage JoAnn stayed home to care for her family and home. In addition to tending to her home, JoAnn worked along side Marion on the farm helping with the livestock and in the field. She also kept a large garden and spent many hours harvesting and canning the produce she raised. For many years JoAnn and Marion were active members of the Cedar Christian Reformed Church. When they moved to Oskaloosa they transferred their membership to First Christian Reformed Church where they were active in many aspects of church life. JoAnn had a servant heart, if she was not helping with a project at church, she could be found volunteering at the thrift store in Pella or visiting residents and helping with activities at local nursing homes. She enjoyed her flower and vegetable gardens, knitting, crocheting, and going to dinner and coffeetime with her friends. JoAnn was a devoted servant of the Lord, wife, and mother. As Marion’s health began to fail, she made sure that he could stay in their home, and that he could still get out and about and enjoy dinner and coffee with friends. Marion died on May 15, 2015. Among the many cherished memories, the family has with JoAnn are those at her home sharing some of her famous lime pickles and homemade cookies. Her family includes her three children, Arlene (Bruce) Meinders of Oskaloosa; Marilou Ozinga of Pella, and Ron Vande Kieft of Kirkville; a son in law, Pete Fynaardt of Oskaloosa; 12 grandchildren; 28 great grandchildren; two brothers, Sid (Mae) Rooy of Penny Farms, Florida, and Robert Rooy and Sally Jones of Frederick, Maryland; her sister, Shirley (John) Rolffs of Willmar, Minnesota; a sister in law, Henrietta Rooy of Grand Rapids, Michigan; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband Marion, JoAnn was preceded in death by her daughter, Joann Carol Fynaardt; and a brother, John Rooy. Funeral services will be held Friday, February 23, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. in the First Christian Reformed Church in Oskaloosa with Reverend Brad Meinders officiating. There will be a family prayer service at 10:15 Friday morning in the fellowship hall of the church. Burial will be in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin Thursday after 11:30 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel from 5:30 – 7:30 Thursday evening to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to the Oskaloosa Christian School or MHP Hospice Serenity House.