Gertrude Kleinheksel

On Thursday April 10, 2014, Gertrude Jalving Kleinheksel joined her husband Henry, her four brothers and three sisters and all of her old friends as she crossed the Crystal Sea into heaven. She was born on 11/11/11 and spent her entire 102 years in Holland.

Her siblings were Clarence, Andrew, Jennie (George) Kolean, Gary, Henry, Josie (Bill) Diephuis and Reka (Ray) Lamer. She is survived by her 5 children, John and Sharon Kleinheksel of Holland, Paul and Jacki Kleinheksel of Holland, Russell and Pam Kleinheksel of Azusa, California, Joanne and Paul Hettinga of Indian Head Park, Illinois and Martha and Bill VanderMarel of Ancaster, Ontario, Canada. 12 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and many adoring nieces and nephews also survive her, along with sister-in-law Bernice Kolenbrander.Raised in Harderwyk CRC, she was a near charter member of the Maplewood RCA congregation along with her husband. She married Henry in 1936.Gertrude graduated first in her class at Hope Preparatory High School in 1929. Her great-grandson Cadan Kleinheksel is a fourth generation student at Hope College.

Funeral services will be held on Monday April 14, 2014, at 1:30 pm at Maplewood Reformed Church. Officiating will be the Revs. Leigh Van Kempen, Carl Balk, and John Kleinheksel. Visitation will be held from 12-1:15 prior to the service at church.

In lieu of flowers gifts may be made to the Henry and Gertrude Kleinheksel Scholarship Fund at Western Theological Seminary. Arrangements are by the Mulder Chapel, Dykstra Funeral Homes Inc 188 West 32nd Street. For more information please visit www.dykstrafuneralhome.com