Josephine Nienhuis

Josephine Nienhuis, age 103, of Orange, VA, formerly of Overisel, died Sunday, November 30, 2014 at Dogwood Village of Orange County.

Josephine was born August 16, 1911 in Hamilton, MI to George and Kate (Vereeke) Kaper. She married Maurice Nienhuis on July 26, 1935. She was a graduate of Holland High School and Hope College. She took pride in winning first place in a state algebra contest while in high school.

Josephine was a teacher in the area for many years. Three times, because of a need in the school system, she was requested to fill a position, including Hamilton Elementary, Sandy View School (Overisel), and Hamilton High School, where she taught science and math and served as sponsor of the student council.

She was a member of Overisel Reformed Church where she taught Sunday school and held leadership positions in the women’s organizations of the local church and the Zeeland Classis. She was involved in the community as a girls’ 4-H leader and as a coach of Overisel community plays. Josephine enjoyed needlework, bowling, golfing and travel. She was preceded in death by her husband and two sons, Kenneth and Wayne.

She is survived by her children, Judy and Martin Riekse of Springfield, VA and Barbara and Paul Brown of Mineral, VA; grandchildren, Jim (Carolina) Riekse, Jon (Alana) Riekse and Cathy (Kurt) Winkelmann; great-grandchildren, Mary Winkelmann, Zumi, Eima, Nicholas, Will and Jeanne Riekse; brother Marvin Kaper of Hamilton, MI; brother-in-law John Grissen of Inverness, FL; and sisters-in-law Marian Albers of Dorr, MI and Marie Nienhuis of Holland, along with nieces, nephews and cousins.

A funeral service will be held at 1:30 pm, Friday, December 12, 2014 at Overisel Reformed Church, 4706 142nd Avenue. Ken Kleinheksel will be officiating. Burial will be in Overisel Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 2-4 & 6-8 pm at Mulder Chapel, 188 West 32nd Street in Holland. Memorial contributions can be made to Overisel Reformed Church. To sign an on-line registry or leave a memory please visit www.dykstrafuneralhome.com