Obituary of Mary Wilma Sleeuwenhoek

Mary Wilma Sleeuwenhoek, 87, passed away Friday morning, September 20, 2013, at the Skiff Medical Center in Newton. A Celebration of Life Service for Wilma, will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, September 24, 2013, at Pence - Reese Funeral Home in Newton. Friends may call at the Funeral Home after 5 p.m. until 7 p.m., Monday, Sept. 23. In lieu of flowers memorials are being designated in Wilma's name. Wilma, the daughter of S.R. and Floy (Eaton) Beukema, was born November 25, 1925, in Newton. She was a graduate of the Newton Senior High, Class of 1943. She attended Normal Training at Central College, and taught rural school for five years. On November 29, 1947, Wilma was united in marriage with Alfred G. Sleeuwenhoek in Grinnell. A lifelong resident of the Newton area, she was living at Newton Village. Wilma devoted her life to her family, and was a member of the Wittemberg Church. She will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved her. Those left to honor Wilma's memory include her daughter Claudia (Ken) Steenhoek of Prairie City; two grandchildren: Jay (Dani) Steenhoek of Maxwell and Amy (Scott) Grass of Prairie City; three great-grandchildren: Chesney & Coy Steenhoek and Grady Grass; her sister Eunice Stubbe of Newton; and many friends. Wilma was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Alfred on January 17, 2006; and seven sisters: Ruth, Esther, June, Helen, Martha Marie, Wanda and Elise.