Obituary of Ida Kroesbergen

Ida Kroesbergen (nee Ietje VanderHeide) received her hearts desire on Saturday morning, April 24, 2021. Mom, you said a month earlier that you longed to see your Lord’s face and be in His presence, and now you have realized that glorious desire.

Mom’s life was a quiet testament to her strong faith. She emigrated to Canada from Friesland in April 1949 with her parents and 5 siblings, settling in the Kitchener area where she met the love of her life, Geurt Kroesbergen (predeceased her to Glory in 2010). They were married in 1953 and settled in the Ailsa Craig area. In their 57 years of marriage, they were blessed with 9 children, Gerry (Sharon), Fred (Dorothy), Tom (Marcia), Bill (Jane), Dorothy (Adrian), Rita (John), John (Christine), Trudy (Dave) and Marvin (Josephine), and Peter who was like a son to her.  Mom and Pop were quite a team! Early life on the dairy farm was not easy for mom. And they didn’t get hydro until after their fifth child was born. Mom helped Pop on the farm as well as raising their children and caring for her busy family. Mom loved to watch as her children got married and loved hearing about their lives, and enjoyed her 41 grandchildren plus 17 more who married in, and 44 great-grandchildren. And we know, and were blessed, that you prayed for each of us by name every day. And now you have passed that torch on to each of us.  It was tougher on you than you let on when you buried Pop and 4 of your grandchildren and your son and daughter in law. And then later, Siebren and one brother and two sisters (survived by two brothers).  But we can only imagine the joyful reunion you all had this week!

The race you began 88 years ago this past week, the one designed for you by God, is now over.  We look back on the legacy you left us, one of loving the Lord above all, and Pop and your family after that, living a life of humble service to them, one of hard work and not much complaining, one of welcoming hospitality to anyone who entered your door.  You loved talking to family, working in your flower beds, knitting and crocheting, puzzling, traveling with Pop and so many other things. You taught us all to live a good life, a clean life and a productive life (and we would hear about it if we were straying a bit).

But now, your pain has ended, you are where you have longed to be, and there is no better place than to be in Glory with the Lord! We will miss you, miss your phone calls, your love and wisdom. But we know that, through loving the Lord, we will see you again.

Your favorite chapter in the Bible was Psalm 27. This chapter talks about “Dwelling in the House of the Lord forever” and is a very comforting and special chapter for us all to live by as we remember the wonderful legacy you have left us.

Our family would like to thank all who have cared for or touched Mom’s life in any way.

A small, private service will be held Wednesday morning in accordance with provincial restrictions. Livestream will be available to all family and friends beginning shortly before 11:00 am on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at https://livestream.com/accounts/16991930  or by going to our church website eastcrc.com and clicking “Watch our service online”.

As an expression of sympathy in Mom’s memory, donations to Jessica’s House, Exeter or Strathroy East Christian Reformed Church would be appreciated. Arrangements entrusted to DENNING’S OF STRATHROY, www.strathroyfuneralhome.com.