Obituary for Gertrude Vander Wende (Jellema)
VANDER WENDE (nee Jellema) - Gertrude, 98, of Oakland, formerly of Fair Lawn passed peacefully on December 2, 2022 with her children by her side. Gertrude was born on August 8, 1924 in Whitinsvillle, Massachusetts. She attended Garfield schools and later went to Drakes business schools where she had many awards in typing and shorthand. She worked a short time at Wright Aeronautical in Woodridge before marrying the love of her life Jacob on September 26, 1947. She was a member of Summer Street Church in Passaic, and then Preakness Christian Reformed Church where she taught Sunday school and and sang in the choir with her husband Jacob. She is a member of the Pompton Plains Reformed Bible Church and was active in the Senior Circle and other groups.
Gertrude was a 4-H club leader for 10 years; 8 years serving on their board and secretary for 6. She was a member of the Oakland Garden Club since 1958 which included being president for 6 terms, serving on the state board for 16 years, and a life member of the National and New Jersey State Garden clubs being their district director for 2 years. She was on the Skylands New Jersey Botanical Gardens board for ten years and in charge of their Christmas open house. Gertrude had a ministry of sending cards to those who were ill, birthdays, anniversaries and more. She was known for her delicious “butter letter” and cookies she gave to friends and neighbors.
Beloved wife of the late Jacob Vander Wende. Loving mother of Janice Highton and her husband Russell, Roy Vander Wende and his wife Dorothy, Phyllis Van Peenen and her husband Jacob, Mark Vander Wende, Alice Abma and her husband Kevin, and David Vander Wende and his wife JoAnne. Loving grandmother of 16 grandchildren: Russell Highton (Allison), Julie “Highton” Ward (Michael), Sheryl “Highton” Reed (Joseph), Rebecca “Vander Wende” Tango (Anthony), Jeffrey Vander Wende, Pamela “Vander Wende” Evanchik (Michael), Gregory Van Peenen (Marcella), Bryan Van Peenen (Stacy), Krista “Van Peenen” Cervino (Michael), Stephanie “Wilson” Cunningham (Brandon), Andrew Vander Wende, Hailey Vander Wende, Kevin Robert Abma (Meranda), Justin Abma (Tyra), Amber “Abma” Cole (Brad), Jade “Vander Wende” Thomas (Phil). Great grandmother to 29 blessings: Abigail, Joshua, Trevin, Rachel, and Luke Highton; Madison and Jacob Reed; Ashlee and Jackson Ward; AJ and Kaylee Tango, Autumn Ivanchik; Jake, Brandon and Martina Van Peenen; Michael, Alexander, and Nicholas Cevino; Cameron, Carmella and Carly Cunningham; Kevin “Dutch”, Mason and Rubianne Abma; Leo and Lucy Cole; Rowan, Leighton, and Nola Abma. Dear sister’s-in-law Laurajean Quakallar and Janet Jellema and many loving nieces and nephews.
Thursday 12/08/2022 3 PM to 7 PM Vander Plaat-Vermeulen Memorial Home, 530 High Mountain Road, Franklin Lakes. Services 12/09/2022 at 10 AM, Pompton Plains Reformed Bible Church, Pompton Plains, followed by internment at Fair Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Pompton Plains Reformed Bible Church, 415 Boulevard, Pompton Plains, NJ 07444.
Gertrude was a 4-H club leader for 10 years; 8 years serving on their board and secretary for 6. She was a member of the Oakland Garden Club since 1958 which included being president for 6 terms, serving on the state board for 16 years, and a life member of the National and New Jersey State Garden clubs being their district director for 2 years. She was on the Skylands New Jersey Botanical Gardens board for ten years and in charge of their Christmas open house. Gertrude had a ministry of sending cards to those who were ill, birthdays, anniversaries and more. She was known for her delicious “butter letter” and cookies she gave to friends and neighbors.
Beloved wife of the late Jacob Vander Wende. Loving mother of Janice Highton and her husband Russell, Roy Vander Wende and his wife Dorothy, Phyllis Van Peenen and her husband Jacob, Mark Vander Wende, Alice Abma and her husband Kevin, and David Vander Wende and his wife JoAnne. Loving grandmother of 16 grandchildren: Russell Highton (Allison), Julie “Highton” Ward (Michael), Sheryl “Highton” Reed (Joseph), Rebecca “Vander Wende” Tango (Anthony), Jeffrey Vander Wende, Pamela “Vander Wende” Evanchik (Michael), Gregory Van Peenen (Marcella), Bryan Van Peenen (Stacy), Krista “Van Peenen” Cervino (Michael), Stephanie “Wilson” Cunningham (Brandon), Andrew Vander Wende, Hailey Vander Wende, Kevin Robert Abma (Meranda), Justin Abma (Tyra), Amber “Abma” Cole (Brad), Jade “Vander Wende” Thomas (Phil). Great grandmother to 29 blessings: Abigail, Joshua, Trevin, Rachel, and Luke Highton; Madison and Jacob Reed; Ashlee and Jackson Ward; AJ and Kaylee Tango, Autumn Ivanchik; Jake, Brandon and Martina Van Peenen; Michael, Alexander, and Nicholas Cevino; Cameron, Carmella and Carly Cunningham; Kevin “Dutch”, Mason and Rubianne Abma; Leo and Lucy Cole; Rowan, Leighton, and Nola Abma. Dear sister’s-in-law Laurajean Quakallar and Janet Jellema and many loving nieces and nephews.
Thursday 12/08/2022 3 PM to 7 PM Vander Plaat-Vermeulen Memorial Home, 530 High Mountain Road, Franklin Lakes. Services 12/09/2022 at 10 AM, Pompton Plains Reformed Bible Church, Pompton Plains, followed by internment at Fair Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Pompton Plains Reformed Bible Church, 415 Boulevard, Pompton Plains, NJ 07444.