Martha (Dam) VanderWerf

Martha (Margje) VanderWerf, 99, formerly of North Newton, passed away on Thursday (Nov. 4, 2010). She had resided at Schowalter Villa in Hesston since February 2010.

Martha was born on Sept. 18, 1911, in Tjalleberd, Friesland, the Netherlands to Jeltje and Hendrik Dam. She married Johannes VanderWerf on Nov. 9, 1944. Martha and Johannes immigrated to America in December 1948. They were sponsored by members of the Manson Mennonite Church in Manson, Iowa, and made their home there until November 1972 when they moved to North Newton.

Martha began her nursing career in the Netherlands and continued it later in Fort Dodge after raising her young family. After moving to North Newton, she was a nurse at Asbury Park, formerly Friendly Acres, until she retired at age 74. Martha (known to her family and friends as “Beppe”) will be fondly remembered for her hospitality and “coffee times” at her home. Her endearing smile and warm handshakes always made everyone feel welcome. Her favorite times were being with family and attending family events, especially the VanderWerf reunions that were every year until she until she could no longer travel. She also enjoyed keeping connections with her family in Holland through trips and e-mail. Martha also was an active member of Faith Mennonite Church.

She is survived by her children, John VanderWerf (Evie) of Goshen, Ind., Isy Miller (Don) of Elkhart, Ind., Julie Gingerich (John) of Kalona, Iowa, Hennie Janzen (Mark) of Wichita, Margriet Troyer (Robert) of Como, Colo., Chris Graber (Terry) of Newton; 21 grandchildren, John VanderWerf, Eileen VanderMolen, Myron VanderWerf, Sandy Barber, James VanderWerf, Sarah Rice, Tony Miller, AJ Miller, Jennifer Roth, Jodi DeWild, John Gingerich, Mark Janzen Jr., Todd Janzen, Kelley Donner, Karrie Troyer, Tammy Troyer, Kim Troyer, Monty Graber and Allison Graber; and 22 great-grandchildren. Martha was preceded in death by her husband, Johannes in 1973; three grandchildren, Don Miller Jr., Michelle Omic and Lynn Troyer; and two great-grandchildren, Emina and Lelia Omic.

Friends may greet the family from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday at Faith Mennonite Church in Newton. A celebration of life service will be at 2:30 p.m. Monday at Faith Mennonite Church, with Pastor Gordon Smith officiating, followed by a “coffee time.” A private burial will precede the service at the Zion Mennonite Church Cemetery in Elbing. A memorial has been established with Faith Mennonite Church and Refugee Relocation through Mennonite Central Committee, contributions may be sent to Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, 120 E. Broadway, Newton, KS 67114.