Pella, Iowa - Tressie Marie Van Weelden was born December 9, 1927, on the Van Wyk County Line farm, five miles south of Sully. Tressie was the sixth of ten children born to Neal and Hilda (Grandia) Van Wyk.

On February 3, 1949, she was united in marriage to Arie A. Van Weelden, Jr. at the parsonage of the First Reformed Church in Pella. To this union they were blessed with four children: Diane Lynne, Steven Craig, Susan Beth and Scott Alan. Arie and Tressie farmed a few miles north of Peoria for 22 years, and then bought a farm five miles north of Pella. Tressie left the farm for Fair Haven on her 90th birthday.

Tressie excelled in being a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and valued all those around her. She had the ultimate green thumb and could grow anything from a seed - hardwood trees, fruit trees, vegetables, and flowers. Snakes did have a short life if found in her garden. She loved gardening! Flowers were always abundant. Vegetables were eaten, canned and frozen for year-round use - especially the hundreds of bags of sweet corn. Pickles ended up being dill, sweet and sour or cucumbers! During strawberry season, events revolved around the pickings. All kinds of jellies were available for coffeetime sandwiches. Butchering chickens was a yearly event and many of us had nightmares about that chicken without a head chasing us around the yard. Every year each of us had a birthday cake - even if you were a twin at Tulip Time! Dutch Letter making was a tried-and-true process with delicious results.

Over the years Tressie sewed all kinds of clothing, sometimes of necessity and many times just because she could. Quilts were created and shared. She crocheted doilies, baby sweaters and hats and Christmas ornaments. She crocheted approximately 300 afghans for new babies, kids, grandkids and great grandkids. Tressie journaled most every day. They have her journals beginning in 1946.

Tressie has been a member of Trinity Reformed Church since 1952. Over the years, she participated in many activities there: Women's Guild, Women's Circle, Young People's Leader, and Sunday School Teacher.

Tressie is survived by her children: Diane Lynne (Stan) Schuring,

Heidi Jaye Holt, Hilary Anne (Wade) Van Vark, Steven Craig (Donna) Van Weelden, Susan Beth (Gary) Spoelstra, and Scott Alan (Carol) Van Weelden. She is also survived by her sisters: Artie Van Zee and Elsie Blom; sister-in-law Irene Van Wyk and brother-in-law Wayne Vander Pol and sister-in-law Norie Van Weelden. She also leaves many nieces and nephews on the Van Wyk and Van Weelden sides.

Tressie was preceded in death by: her husband Arie, her parents and parents-in-law Arie Sr. and Artje Van Weelden, and her great grandson Blake Van Vark.

Siblings/spouses: Leonard (Greta) Van Wyk, Edna (Jake) Ozinga, Harold (Betty) Van Wyk, Freda (Gilbert) Vande Wall, Ross Van Wyk, Keith Van Zee, Phyllis (Bill) Lowe, Donald Blom, Darlene Vander Pol

Arie's Siblings/spouses: Ella (Ed) Klyn, Dick (Anna) Van Weelden, Stella (David) Blommers, Cora (Ric) Sneller, Henry (Betty) Van Weelden, Cornie Van Weelden, Gysbert Van Weelden and Art (Frances) Van Weelden.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am, Friday, February 11, at Trinity Reformed Church in Pella. Visitation will begin at 2:00 pm, Thursday, February 10, at the Garden Chapel Funeral Home, with family present from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. Memorials may be given to Trinity Reformed Church.