Tennie Stirler

Sibley, IA Tennie Stirler age 90 of Sibley, IA died Thursday, April 30, 2015 at Osceola Community Hospital in Sibley, IA. Funeral service will be 11:30 a.m. Monday, May 4, 2015 at the First Reformed Church in Sibley, IA, with Rev. Luke Schouten officiating. Private family burial will take place prior to the service at Holman Township Cemetery in Sibley, IA. Visitation will be Sunday, May 3rd from 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. with the family present from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. at the Jurrens Funeral Home of Sibley. Tennie Stirler, daughter of John and Tracy (Van Der Heiden) Van Gelderen was born February 7, 1925 at the family farm in rural Sibley, Iowa. At the age of one, Tennie was afflicted with polio. She attributed her two older sisters with teaching and helping her to walk again. Tennie received her education at the Sibley Public Schools. Being the youngest of eight children, there were always plenty of things to do. She worked for Lee Tennus sorting eggs for a short time and then at the Brunson Hardware Store for four years. On February 7, 1947, she married Harry Jacob Stirler in Sibley at the First Reformed Church parsonage. They made their home at their farm, located one mile north of Cloverdale. Harry and Tennie lived, worked and raised their family on the family farm until 1983 when they retired and moved to Sibley. Easter Sunday, April 23rd, 2000, Harry passed away. Tennie continued to live in their home until January 2005. She moved to Heartwood Heights because of her diminishing eye-sight due to macular degeneration and enjoyed her many new neighbors and friends. Tennie was active in the Ladies Guild of the First Reformed Church of Sibley and was a member of the Osceola Community Hospital Auxiliary. After retirement, Harry and Tennie enjoyed going to Dinner Date and volunteering there. Tennie received a Governor's Volunteer Award for her work there. Her children and grandchildren meant the world to her. She especially liked to make her sons-in-laws favorite foods for the Sunday evening suppers. Her family was her pride and joy. Tennie leaves to mourn her passing three daughters and their families: Patricia (Leo) Bosma of Worthington, Arlene (David) Kuehl of Sibley, and Elizabeth (Randall) Bruns of Sheldon. Her six grandchildren: Cordell (Karen) Bosma, Cara Bosma, Katie Kuehl, Nicole (Luke) Manning, Kelsey (Kyle) Hoekstra and Shelby Bruns. Six great grandchildren: Ally, Lincoln and Liam Bosma, Ariana and Laina Bosma and Connor Manning. Along with three sisters: Mary Kamies, Tracy Den Beste and Minnie De Jong, as well as several nieces and nephews and other extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, two brothers: Jake and Buster Van Gelderen; two sisters: Anna Luitjens and Jennie Noomen; sister-in-law: Ida Van Gelderen; brother-in-laws: Henry Kamies, William Luitjens, Edward Den Beste,Gerald Nooman and Jake De Jong; and other extended family. Blessed be her memory.