Grace Willemssen

Funeral Service Livestream Link

Little Rock, Rock Rapids, Sioux Center, Iowa     

     Grace Willemssen passed away on October 29^th 2022 at Royal Meadows Care Center in Sioux Center, Iowa where she had been lovingly cared for over the past seven years.

     Celebration of Life services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, November 5th, at Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids. Burial will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery in Little Rock, IA.

     Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral service on Saturday, November 5^th at Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids.

     In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to: Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607 or The Gideons International, P.O. Box 97251, Washington, DC 20090-7251.

     Grace was born on February 19^th, 1925 to Andrew and Grace (Dreesen) Kanengieter on a farm near Little Rock, Iowa. She was one of twelve children (the sixth girl). Grace loved going to school and attended country school near her home. She was a hard worker and was responsible for many jobs around the farm.

     Grace loved music and she taught herself to play the piano, organ and guitar. She was able to “play by ear” and she played for her brother’s quartet and at numerous church gatherings. She had a beautiful alto voice and she and her sisters formed a quartet that created a CD of gospel music which we still listen to today.

     Grace met her future husband Ray Willemssen of George, Iowa and they were married on August 19^th, 1944 in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Ray was serving in the Army and went overseas shortly after their marriage. Grace returned home to Little Rock. While Ray was overseas, he was called by the Lord to go into the ministry. Grace now had to adjust her thoughts from being a farmer’s wife to being a Pastors wife. Grace’s life was significantly altered when, near the end of the war, army representatives came to the farm and informed her that Ray had been seriously wounded. The next year of their married life was focused on Ray’s healing.

     The next phase of Grace’s life was spent supporting Ray through college and seminary. During this time, they also started a family with the addition of daughters Lora Lee and Phyllis.. Grace was always a supportive and helpful part of Ray’s ministry. She was a Sunday school teacher and was involved in many musical aspects of the church. They served in churches in Avon, SD; Rushmore, MN; Lake Park, IA; at the Presbyterian Camp in Okoboji, IA; Early, IA and Turner County, SD. While living in Early, Grace served as a Certified Nursing Assistant in the Storm Lake Hospital. While living in Avon, Grace was treated to the biggest surprises of her life when twin girl’s Mary and Marla arrived on the scene and then shortly after she welcomed Rhonda, daughter number five, into the family. Ray and Grace loved to travel and after Ray’s retirement spent many winters in Arizona. They greatly enjoyed driving to California to visit Phyllis and her husband Bob. They loved family gatherings and were always busy attending the activities of their grandchildren. They were always serving and doing things for others.

     Grace is survived by her five daughters: Lora (Barry) Brandt Orange City, IA; Phyllis (Bob) Koob, Wildomar, CA; Mary (Tim) Braithwaite, Sioux Falls, SD; Marla (David) Nees, Storm Lake, IA; Rhonda (Dan) Doyscher, Sioux Falls, SD. Grandchildren: Cory (Susan) Brandt, Rock Valley, IA; Jennifer (Kelvin) Kaemingk, Woodbury, MN; Jill (Lyle) Schut, Sioux Center, IA; Lindi (Ryan) Dahm, Sioux Center, IA; Emily (Cody) Wright, Holstein, IA; Andrew (Amanda) Nees, Early, IA; Lauri (Regan) Woodke, Holstein, IA; Alison (Keith) Braithwaite-DeGroot, Sioux Falls, SD. Great Grandchildren: Katlin (Brandon) VanderStoep, Brianna (Tyler) VanZante, Megan Brandt, Karissa (Colton) Neff; Kyle and Kollin Kaemingk, Carly, Cole and Cora Schut; Nicholas, Matthew, and Luke Dahm; Morgan, Carter and Haley Wright; Raelyn and Rian Stovall; Kaden and Hannah DeGroot; Mitchell Nees, Worth Woodke. Great-Great Grandchildren: Asher and Merrick VanderStoep.

     Grace’s Surviving Sisters are: Arlene(Don) Rickabaugh, Sioux Falls, SD; Erma Winter, Sibley, IA; Surviving Brothers are Andrew (Muriel) Kanengeiter, Sheldon, IA; Everon (Joyce) Kanengeiter, Little Rock, IA and many family members and friends.

     Grace was preceded in death by her husband Raymond (they were married 71 years). Her parents Andrew and Grace Kanengeiter; Son-in law- John Bassett. Sisters and husbands Mattie (Wilkey) Harms; Helyn (Sievert) Dammer; Janet (Clyde) Hietbrink; Dena (Harold) Kruse; Luella (Elmer) Jager. Brothers and wives: Elmer (Barb) Kanengieter; Delbert (Marge) Kanengieter; Sister-in-law Earlene Kanangieter, Brothers-inlaw: Art Doeden, Harm Winter and several nephews.

     Grace was a devoted Christian. She was always taking care of others. She was a loving wife and mother and we her family will miss her gracious and loving spirit. She was a wonderful person and we were so blessed and grateful for her 97 years here on earth but we know that she is now at home with Jesus.