Tillile Nyhuis

Rock Rapids, IA

     Tillie Nyhuis age 92 of Rock Rapids, IA died Saturday, April 17, 2021 at Rock Rapids Health Centre in Rock Rapids.

     Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 22, 2021 at the Christian Reformed Church in Rock Rapids with Rev. Doug De Groot officiating. Burial will follow at River View Cemetery in Rock Rapids.

     Visitation will be Wednesday, April 21^st from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., with the family present at the Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids.

     In lieu of flowers family prefer memorials, which will be directed to Hope Haven.

     Tillie was born March 18, 1929 in Inwood, IA to Rienk and Tillie (Heddama) Ytsma.   Tragically her mother died in childbirth. Later that year, her three year old sister, Alice also died. Rienk's brother, Fred and his wife Jennie raised Tillie as their own. Tillie also grew up with a sister Johanna (Joey). Tillie grew up outside of and in Rock Rapids. Tillie attended school through the 9th grade. As a young lady she worked at Van's Grocery Store, Sandy's Bakery, and Bryan Cleaners. When she was 16, Rienk who she grew up knowing as her uncle revealed himself as her birth father. Tillie married John Nyhuis on February 15, 1949 at the Rock Rapids Christian Reformed Church. They lived on the Nyhuis family farm just outside of Lester, IA. Tillie became a homemaker and mother. John and Tillie had 4 sons: Robert, Verlyn, Byron, and James. James died shortly after birth in 1959. They farmed the land and milked cows.   John and Tillie always enjoyed getting together with friends and family. They enjoyed playing games like the marble game Wahoo. They also enjoyed traveling together with friends. One of her most memorable trips was spending a couple weeks in Holland where her fathers were born. Tillie was always proud of her Dutch heritage including blue delft in her decor and the Dutch language she spoke in conversation. Although Tillie never had daughters, she gained two of them when Robert married Janice and Verlyn wed Carleen. Then came the granddaughters and grandsons. Tillie loved singing with her granddaughters in church. By this time Tillie was known for her cakes. She made wedding, birthday, special occasion, and sheet cakes. She spoiled her grandchildren with birthday cakes decorated and personalized for them. Tillie was very involved in the lives of her grandchildren by hosting sleep overs, attending their school and extra curricular events, taking them shopping, and inviting them to join her and grandpa to friend visits on Sunday evenings. She also enjoyed celebrating holidays with her family.

     After John passed away in 1995, Tillie became a housekeeper and worked at the hospital. She also continued traveling on bus tours with her children. One of her most memorable trips with her sons and daughter-in-laws was to Washington,D.C. In her spare time the talented Tillie crocheted afghans, painted ceramics, embroidered, watched polkas and Lawrence Welk, and colored intricate designs. In the early 2000's she moved to town. It was there that she survived the Rock Rapids flood of 2014 after being rescued by a boat. She was 85 at the time and felt braver then ever. A few days after the rescue, she insisted that she should zipline at the town's annual celebration. She said if she could survive a flood, she could do anything. The last few years Tillie has resided at the Rock Rapids Health Center. She was well loved and adored by many who took care of her there. Some of them remember Tillie as a volunteer there. She loved to help with bingo, cards, and dice. Employees remember Tillie for her smile, affection, and her insistence they stop by for candy. Car drives with her son, Verlyn, and stops to McDonalds brought her true joy. She also enjoyed when she could go back and spend the day with the family at the family farm.

     Tillie was a lifelong member of the Rock Rapids Christian Reformed Church. She was also affiliated with Farm Bureau and active with Hope Haven.

     She is survived by her sons, Verlyn Nyhuis and Byron Nyhuis, both of Rock Rapids, IA; a daughter in law, Janice Nyhuis of Sioux Center, IA; her grandchildren, Bonita (Mark) Steinhelper of Altoona, IA, Juanita (Kyle) Sieglinig of Brush, CO, Wade Nyhuis of Lakewood, CO and Cory Nyhuis of Sioux Falls, SD, Amy Nyhuis of Sheldon, IA; Roger (Nyla) Nyhuis of Sioux Center, IA and Renee (Keith) Bonham of Hawarden, IA; 11 great grandchildren, Abby, Caleb, Ashley, Ellie, Rachel, Alex, John, Alyssa, Madilyn, Jeremiah, and Maci.

     Tillie was preceded in death by her birth parents and the parents who raised her; husband John Nyhuis, sons, James Alvin and Robert; daughter-in-law, Carleen Nyhuis; sister, Alice Ytsma; and stepsister, Johanna Krontje.