Jennie Van Wyhe

Hills, MN Jennie Van Wyhe, age 76 of Hills, MN died Wednesday, November 17, 2010 at the Tuff Memorial Home in Hills, MN. Funeral service will be 2:00 PM, Saturday, Nov. 20th at the Hills United Reformed Church in Hills, MN, with Rev. Doug Barnes officiating. Burial will follow at the United Reformed Cemetery in Hills. Visitation will be Friday, Nov. 19th with family present from 2:00 to 4:00 PM and 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Hills United Reformed Church in Hills, MN. Jenneka Jennie Van Wyhe was born on January 27, 1934, near Hawarden, Iowa, the daughter of Peter and Lena (De Kam) De Roon. She grew up on a farm near Rock Valley, IA and attended country school and Rock Valley Christian School through the eighth grade. When Jennie was fourteen years old her father was killed in a truck and train accident. During her teen years she helped her mother and various neighboring families. On February 19, 1954, Jennie was united in marriage to Wayne Van Wyhe in Rock Valley, IA. After their marriage they lived in Ireton, IA for fourteen months until Wayne was drafted into the U.S. Army. While he was in the service Jennie lived with her mom near Rock Valley. During this time their first son was born. In 1957, when Wayne returned they began farming near Lebanon, IA. During this time they were blessed with seven more children. In December of 1967, they moved to a farm near Hills, MN, where they farmed until 1992, when they started Dutchland Frozen Foods in Lester, IA. They moved to Lester in 1994, where they made their home until moving to the Hills Tuff Village in Hills, MN in March of 2009. In February of 2010, due to a leg injury and Alzheimers illness, Jennie moved to the Hills Tuff Memorial Home, where she resided until her death this past Wednesday. Jennie had a strong and enduring faith and was very active at the United Reformed Church, where she was a member. She was a homemaker first and foremost while also helping her husband on the farm and at Dutchland Frozen Foods. She also volunteered for various projects at the Hills Christian School. Jennie enjoyed gardening, preparing food for her family and caring for and attending her childrens and grandchildrens activities. Jennie is survived by her husband of fifty-six years, Wayne Van Wyhe of Hills; eight children, Wayne (Norma) Van Wyhe of Lester, IA, Peter (Susan) Van Wyhe of Lester, IA, Leroy (Shelley) Van Wyhe of Hills, MN, Shirley (Kevin) Wall of Parker, CO, Howard (Heidi) Van Wyhe of Hills, MN, Harlan (Christy) Van Wyhe of Owasso, OK, Greg (Michelle) Van Wyhe of Rock Rapids, IA and Linda (Dean) Meyer of Larchwood, IA; twenty-eight grandchildren and thirty-six great grandchildren; one sister, Nellie (Rod) Tilstra of Sioux Center, IA; two brothers, Clarence (Esther) De Roon of Rock Valley, IA and John (Carol) De Roon of Hawarden, IA; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Lena De Roon; and two nephews, Randy and Terry Tilstra. In Lieu of flowers memorial may be directed to the Hills Christian School or the Alzheimer's Association, South Dakota Chapter.