Mrs. Ann Meekma

Mrs. Ann Meekma, age 89, of Orange City, Iowa, formerly of Randolph, Wisconsin, passed away on Thursday, January 21, 2010, at the Orange City Area Health System Hospital.

Ann was born on May 15, 1920, in the Friesland, Wisconsin, area. She was the oldest daughter of Dewey & Minnie (Vander Wal) Braaksma. She spent the early part of her childhood in the Cambria, Wisconsin, area, where she attended a country school thru the seventh grade.

On September 12, 1940, she married Sam Meekma in Friesland. Sam and Ann farmed west of Randolph for many years and found a wonderful partnership together. She milked cows, baled hay, and worked hard, side by side with Sam. She was also a fantastic homemaker and absolutely loved serving people food and providing fellowship for family and friends at the farm. In addition, she was well known for making wedding cakes. She truly was an artist in decorating cakes. Ann also worked as a clerk in the local pharmacy and as a cook at the school. She was active in church, as part of the Ladies Aid and singing in the choir for decades.

Sam and Ann moved to Orange City in April of 1997, and enjoyed being with their children and grandchildren and seeing them in their activities. They also thoroughly enjoyed golfing together, until health prevented them from doing so. They were also active volunteers for the Tulip Festival in Orange City. Sam and Ann had a wonderful life, enjoying over 67 years together, until Sam passed away on January 10, 2008, in Remsen, Iowa.

Ann became a resident of the Happy Siesta Care Center in Remsen, on September 2, 2008. She loved her time at Happy Siesta and often remarked how nice the people were and how well they treated her. She enjoyed getting “dressed up” for every meal and always wanted to look her best. She also reveled in spending time reading her Bible and reflecting on how blessed she was. Indeed, Sam and Ann always set a great example for their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren to follow.

Ann is survived by a daughter, Sandra, and her husband, Wilfred Schantl,of Spring Hill, Florida; two sons, Terry Meekma, and his wife, Rachel, of Orange City; and Wayne Meekma, and his wife, Lisa, of Omaha, Nebraska; and a son-in-law, Frank DeVries, of Elkhorn, Wisconsin. by eleven grandchildren, John Schantl, and his wife, Kim, of Spring Hill; Jason Schantl, and his wife, Karla, of Las Vegas, Nevada; Mike DeVries, of Callehorn, Wisconsin; Michelle Mieke, and her husband, Alan, of Burlington, Iowa; Marilee DeVries, of Elkhorn; Jess Meekma, and his wife, Lisa, of Omaha; Tara Meekma Frizzi ,and her husband, Andrea, of Denver, Colorado; Ashley Saras, and her husband, Chris, of Orange City; Tyler Meekma, and his fiancé, Khristine Farrington, of Orange City; and Seth Meekma and Jordyn Meekma, both of Omaha; and five great grandchildren, Payton, Isabel,and Alex Meike, and Sophie and Hannah Meekma. Ann is further survived by one sister, Betty Jane Denure, of Rio, Wisconsin; two brothers, Marvin Braaksma, and his wife, Fran, of Clear Water, Florida; and Pete Braaksma, and his wife, Helen Ann, of Aurora, Colorado; a brother-in-law, Ted Meekma, and his wife, Evelyn, of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin; and two sisters-in-law, Tillie Vander Werff, and her husband, Alfred; and Alice Tamminga, all of Randolph.

In addition to her husband, Ann was preceded in death by a daughter, Alice DeVries.

A Service to Celebrate Ann’s Life will be held on Monday, January 25, at 10:00am, at the First Reformed Church, 406 South High Street in Randolph. The Rev. Ben Bruins will officiate. Interment will follow at the Randolph Cemetery.

Ann’s family will receive relatives and friends on Sunday, January 24, 2010 from 5:00pm to 6:30pm, at the Randolph Community Funeral Home, 208 South High Street, Randolph.

Memorials may be directed to the Orange City Area Home Health and Hospice or
Haiti Relief c/o the First Reformed Churches in Orange City or Randolph.
Randolph Community Funeral Home is assisting the family locally.