Annette Wiersma

Annette (Van Vossen) Wiersma was born on August 15, 1925 in Chicago, Illinois to Jacob and Clara Van Vossen. She attended grade school and high school in Chicago and then worked for Sears, Roebuck and Company in their accounting department. She experienced both the Great Depression and World War II and relayed many stories of her memory of Pearl Harbor day, ration cards and of her 4 brothers going off to the war.

She met Henry Wiersma Jr. in February 1941 and they were married on August 29, 1946. They settled in South Holland, Illinois where they raised their family.

Annette was a warm and gracious lady. She always had an open table where there was enough food for anyone who joined. She was an accomplished seamstress, making all four of her daughter's wedding dresses. She also took milinary classes and became very skilled at making beautiful women's hats. She loved to knit, crochet and quilt. She made blankets and quilts for her children and grandchildren. She was known as the “Cookie Grandma” for her special chocolate chip cookies which she generously gave as gifts. She never left home without them!

Annette was a believer in Jesus, studied her Bible diligently, and shared her faith with her family and friends.

She passed away at peace, with her family caring for her and rejoicing at her meeting her heavenly Father.

She was preceded in death by husband Henry Wiersma, parents Clara and Jacob Van Vossen, brothers Tom, Lambert, James and John Van Vossen, sister Cornelia Vis, and one grandchild, Daniel Isaac.

She is survived by children Juanita "Nita"(Fred) Venhuizen, Peggy(George) Fleming, Cindi(George) Sjaardema, Philip(Jackie) Wiersma, Dan(Jessica) Wiersma, Lois Wiersma(Jay Wilson), and sister Jean(William) Strong. She has 18 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren.

Visitation Friday, June 28, 2019 from 4:00 p.m. until the time of the funeral service at 8:00 p.m. at Smits Funeral Home 2121 Pleasant Springs Lane, Dyer, IN with Rev. Jeff Hale officiating. Interment on Monday, July 1, 2019 at Chapel Hill Gardens South – Worth, IL.