Christine Vanden Top Kroon

Rock Rapids, IA

     Christine Vanden Top Kroon age 100 of Rock Rapids, IA died Monday, January 28, 2019 at the Rock Rapids Health Centre in Rock Rapids.

     Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., February 1^st at the Christian Reformed Church in Rock Rapids, IA, with Rev. Dr. Cliff Hoekstra officiating. Burial will follow at Richland Cemetery in Inwood, IA.

     Visitation will be Thursday, January 31^st from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m., with family present from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids, IA.

Memorials may be directed to the donor’s choice.

     Christine Vanden Top Kroon was born on May 28, 1918 in Alvord, IA, the daughter of Gilbert and Christina (Wallenburg) Van Hill. She grew up on a farm southwest of Alvord, IA and attended country school through the 8th grade. After her education she provided child care and house cleaning for area families.

     Christine was united in marriage to Gerrit J. Vanden Top on December 6, 1937 in Grand Rapids MI. They lived there for 5 years and moved to Lester, IA in 1942. In 1950 they moved to their farm north of Alvord. In 1961 they moved to a farm 3 miles west of Alvord and remained there. While raising her children and helping with farm work, she also enjoyed gardening, needlework, and crafts. Her husband Gerrit died unexpectedly on September 30, 1966. Christine and her son, Bob, moved from the farm into Alvord and she began working for Dr. Bob Hodgson in his veterinarian office.

     Christine married Louis Kroon on October 17, 1969 at the First Reformed Church Parsonage in Inwood. They then lived in Hospers, IA until 1989 when they moved to Rock Rapids, IA. Louis died on March 13, 2001.

     Christine remained living in Rock Rapids and was a member of the Christian Reformed Church, active with various church activities. In April of 2011, Christine entered the Rock Rapids Health Centre and remained there until her death this past Monday, January 28, 2019, at the age of 100 years, 8 months.

     She is survived by her three children, Betty C. and (Henry) Bouma of Luverne, MN, Gilbert G. (Leona) Vanden Top of Rock Rapids, IA and Robert J. (Arlene) Vanden Top of Rock Valley, IA; eighteen grandchildren; thirty-eight great-grandchildren; ten great-great-grandchildren; step-son John and (Lila) Kroon of Lynden WA, step-daughter, Glady Arends of Slayton, MN, step-daughter in-law, Barb Kroon Theis of Sheldon, and many step-grandchildren. Brother-in-law Gerrit J. (Lazetta) Van Den Top Jr., Sioux Falls; two sisters-in-law, Rika Van Den Top of Sioux Falls, SD and Jennie Brower of Hills, MN; Plus, many, many nieces, nephews and other extended family.

     She was preceded in death her parents, Gilbert and Christina Van Hill; her 1st husband of 28 years, Gerrit J. Vanden Top; 2nd husband of 31 years, Louis Kroon; two grandchildren, Mary Jo Huisman and Tonya Leusink; a step son, Larry Kroon; a step son-in-law, Bob Arends; six brothers, Albert (Alice), Tony (Henrietta), Joe (Grace), Gilbert (Jeanette), Bud (Geneva), and Don (Grace) Van Hill; and four sisters, Gertie (Al) Timmerman, Gertrude (Henry)Ackerman, infants Christine Van Hill, Mary Van Hill. Also, Brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Gerrit's siblings, Dick, George, Bill, Alice, and Gertude.