Donna Mae (Walraven) Vriezelaar was born on 9/04/1936 to Harold Walraven and Jennie (Jannigje Verschuur) Walraven. Her big sister LaVelma Jean was waiting eagerly for her arrival. Jean and Donna were later blessed with little sister Phyllis Ann. They lived around the Pella area, renting various farms, until Harold and Jennie permanently settled on the Walraven place which became known as simply “The Farm” or “Home” to the family.
The Walraven sisters had oodles of built in playmates, always up for shenanigans, in their Walraven and Verschuur cousins. The farm was their livelihood and playground. We marvel that all the cousins survived their youthful hyjinx relatively intact. Donna was proud to have worked alongside her Dad on the farm. Her tractor skills were second to none.
Harold and Jennie’s home was bursting full of love and laughter. The vibrant Verschuur clan gathered often and boisterously. They worked hard and played harder. Sore cheeks and sides from laughing were common as they gobbled up all the good things life had to offer. 5 love languages were insufficient for them to show their infinite love.
The Walravens also opened their home and dinner table to others in need. Word got around and rail riders or day laborers arrived to ask for a meal and roof in exchange for their labor. Harold was a kindly boss, but never comprised the safety of his girls. Donna recalled him sitting outside their doorways as they slept when a temporary worker was in the house.
Jean, Donna, and Phyllis started school with their Walraven cousins at the one room school house close to home. Later they attended a brand-new grade school in Otley. Phyllis was a wee one and missed her sisters terribly in the split-up grades. She could often be found sitting next to Donna in Donna’s classroom.
Donna met the love of her life, Gary Vriezelaar, at church camp in Iowa Falls. They courted on the swinging bridge across the river and continued the romance when they returned to Pella. They married and Donna was embraced into the Vriezelaar family. The Vriezelaars regularly gathered for Dutch dinner on Sunday, played no mercy games of cribbage, and loved to walk with Penny, the best trained dog in Pella, in the cemetery across the street. The screen door constantly banged as grandkids ran in and out.
Donna and Gary loved their three kids unconditionally; Craig (1953-1994), Cindy (1956), and Steven (1959). The family had the usual ups and downs, but the unbreakable bond of Gary and Donna bound them together. The kids filled the house with love, the wringer washer tubs with bullfrog tadpoles, and cardboard boxes with baby raccoons. Donna, who wasn’t a fan of pets inside, bit her tongue and tolerated the menagerie. In spite of her offspring’s opposing efforts, Donna took pride in keeping an orderly home. She was, after all, a Dutch girl.
So for years, Gary and Donna had supper on the table at 5 and expected all three hooligans home when the streetlights came on. The kids have fond memories of Gary and Donna slow dancing to Elvis while Gary made his famous hotdog pizza.
Gary’s lifelong career was in the bakery business. He cracked his family up, and Donna laughed along, when he was asked for a recipe and solemnly gave “the formula”. Donna waitressed and enjoyed the work. However, she often reminded her brood that at home she was not their waitress.
Eventually all three kids left to start their own families and zoos. Gary and Donna were finally able to get their dream place on a lake. They found a camper on Lake Edwards that became their paradise. For many summers they enjoyed days without schedules and nights around the campfire with friends. Donna would quietly listen to Walleye Gary’s fish stories with a knowing smile on her face.
Donna’s knight in shining armor passed in 2017. Although she would never stop missing her devoted Gary, she resiliently made a life for herself at Apple Valley Assisted Living in Clear Lake Iowa. She had numerous friends and especially enjoyed hosting pizza and wine parties on Friday nights. She was regularly at 3pm coffee and kept her friends up to date about happenings. She loved going out to eat, shopping, going out to eat, peanut butter cups, going out to eat, reruns of Johnny Carson, and going out to eat.
Much to Donna’s delight, her kids presented her with grandkids. Craig and wife Liz Crane’s treasures are Alissa (Ben) Bart and Abby (Kyle) Hrodey. Cindy’s beloved are Phil (Mary Harkness) Bieber and Angie Lundberg. Steve and Ann Luedtke Yacko’s loves are Andy Vriezelaar and Joshua (Stacia) Vriezelaar. Donna was thrilled that Phil Bieber and Mary Harkness gave her a great granddaughter Asha. Andy Vriezelaar has a son Aiden, and Josh and Stacia have David to add two more great grands. She surrounded herself with their photos.
No one ever had to guess what Donna was thinking. She defied convention and beat her own drum loud and proud. She took a cue from her idol Elvis and did it her way. She knew what she wanted and how to get exactly that. Well done, Mom!
Donna leaves her family with pools of sadness, waves of joy, and endless memories we’ll cherish to keep her legacy alive.
Those left to tell her stories are her two kids, Cindy (Ron) Richardson and Steven (Cindy McNamara) Vriezelaar. Although Donna lost her firstborn Craig, his widow Liz Vriezelaar Horn is stuck with this family. Donna’s grandkids, mentioned above, add chapters to her story.
Donna’s sister, Phyllis Ulrich, and she talked on the phone and visited as much as possible. Phyllis will miss her! Phyllis’ children are Julie Mosley and Chris Ulrich. They each added great nieces and nephews to Donna’s family.
Donna’s brother-in-law Keith Vriezelaar and his wife Betty have nieces Kim Brobst and Dana Knoll and nephew Doug Vriezelaar. There are also great nieces and nephews on this tree branch.
Donna’s sister-in-law Pat Kelley added niece Carol Welker and nephews Mike Kelley and Bill Kelley. And more great nieces and nephews are added by these families.
Becky Miller, niece, is the daughter of Jean (LaVelma) Quintanilla. She too adds great nieces and nephews.
Donna was proceeded in death by her son Craig Vriezelaar. It’s no surprise she never got over such an enormous loss. In fact, the whole family was changed.
Her soul mate Gary Vriezelaar passed before her. She still continued to talk with him most nights.
Donna’s incredible parents Harold and Jennie Walraven passed but showed their family how to love to the moon and back. They made childhood magical for their kids and grandchildren.
Donna’s sister Jean Quintanilla’s death left a void that couldn’t be filled.
Her brother-in-law Jerry Ulrich has passed. He could actually make the sun shine!
Donna’s in laws Jess and Min (Minka Buwalda) Vriezelaar never met a stranger. They gave the bestest squishy hugs full of love. They have left us too.
Donna’s brother-in-law Wayne Lonning left suddenly and far too soon, but not before he could instill in us a deep reverence for nature through the eyes of his camera lens. His wife Sally Lonning Vriezelaar, who doted on her nieces and nephews, played tickle monster with us like no one else could.
Donna’s brother-in-law Niel Kelley could summon angels with his singing while he was on Earth.
Gerrit Arthur was the brother Donna never met. He was Harold and Jennie’s first child. He passed at 10 months from whooping cough. Soon thereafter a vaccine was developed which leaves us with lots of “what ifs”.
Many aunts, uncles, and cousins have passed. They are too numerous to list but their souls treasured none the less.
The family is forever grateful to Apple Valley Assisted Living staff and friends for making Mom’s life rich and happy. We can’t say enough about the endless Sprites, ice cream, and loving care the Oakwood team surrounded Mom with. And to St Croix Hospice, there is an aura about your organization and people that gives peace and comfort that no words can express.
Donna’s immediate family will gather over the 4th of July. She loved the 4th! We will tell the stories, eat the pizza, and send her off with sparklers all around. A larger memorial is in the planning. We loved you, Mom!
colonialchapels.com
