Beatrice Lucille Brandsma

Beatrice Lucille Schaafsma Brandsma 1920-2014 Beatrice was born in Wichert, the youngest of 9 children in a farming family. Her parents died when she was quite young and she was raised by her eldest sister. She met the love of her life, Melvin Brandsma, in 1939 and they married. She and Mel went on to raise three children in a Christian home in the South Holland area. As a result of this union, the Brandsmas'' now number 31 - 9 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. Beatrice was extremely bright and excelled in math. She had quite a head for numbers and used that talent in her capacity as a buyer for the Holland Home gift shop. Like many who lived through the Great Depression, she was incredibly thrifty and took pride in that quality. She passed this characteristic down to all of her progeny. She was forthright and practical in most all of her dealings, but had a quick laugh ever at the ready with a knee slap to top it off. Her beautiful blue eyes, her ready smile, her mastery of the kitchen and her willingness to share her love of the Lord, engaging in the lives of so many, were only some of her remarkable features. Many of her children and grandchildren were able to benefit from her special relationship with Jesus. Watching her do her devotions at the kitchen table, first thing in the morning, is something that will be seared into their memories for a life time. She was a prayer warrior to and for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She is a woman of God who loved praise music, piano playing, flea marketing, and Sunday dinners, complete with pot roast and potatoes with gravy...and let''s not forget the banket, the Christmas cookies, and the Swedish pancakes with real butter! Beatrice was a creative person not only in her dress but also in her domestic abilities. She had a love of brooches, hats, scarves, shoes and unusual jewelry. She was happy with less. She loved giving and was generous with her time, her prayers, and her spirit. She is preceded in death by her son, Jeffrey Brandsma. Beatrice is survived by her husband, Melvin, her daughter, Bonnie (Tom) Mannes, her son, Lee (Pam) Brandsma and her daughter-in-law, Anne Brandsma. Her grandchildren survive her as well and include Michael (June) Brandsma, Jamie (Michael) Lowe, Anneke (Jay) Smith, Nicole (Scott) Chandler, Danielle (Brian) DeSmit, Kristen (Erik) Haagstrom, Ryan (Megan) Brandsma, Joshua (Katie) Brandsma, Tessa Brandsma, and numerous great grandchildren. Visitation is Saturday, August 2, 2014 at 10AM - 11:30AM, with service to follow immediately at Thorn Creek Reformed Church, 1875 E. 170th Street in South Holland, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in memory of Beatrice Brandsma to Kids Alive International, P.O. Box 2117, Valparaiso, IN 46384-2117. Nanny, you have taught us to love the Lord with all our heart, with all our mind, and with all our soul. Your constant Love and devotion to the Lord will never be forgotten. The way you lived your life was seen by many and has been passed on from generation to generation. Thank you for loving God consistently and fervently. We will forever hold your favorite verse in our hearts: Psalm 27:3-7 Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; the war break out against me, even then I will be confident. One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple. For in the day of trouble, He will keep me safe in His dwelling, He will hide me in the shelter of His sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at His sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord. Hear my voice when I call Lord; be merciful to me and answer me.