Leola Maxine Heemstra of Bartlesville, Oklahoma passed away on October 16, 2023.
Maxine was born September 17, 1928 near Newkirk, Iowa to Peter and Gertrude Roos. She grew up with 5 sisters and 2 brothers on a farm near Newkirk. In 1944, a devastating tornado destroyed their homestead, but by the hand of God, Maxine and her family survived in a storm cellar. The Roos family lived in a new turkey coop for several months before moving to a farm near Ashton.
Maxine graduated from Hospers High School in 1945 and attended Northwestern Jr. College in Orange City, Iowa where she graduated with a teaching certificate. She loved teaching at Rock Rapids and Orange City and years later still remembered many of the names of her students.
Maxine and Ray Heemstra's love story began in Orange City. They were first formally introduced at a banquet at Northwestern College. Later Maxine went to the drug store to purchase a hairbrush and Ray said she smiled at him. She had the sweetest smile! They were married on June 17, 1952 in the Bethel Reformed Church in Sheldon, Iowa, in a ceremony officiated by Ray's father, Dr. Jacob Heemstra and Rev. Teusink. They spent their honeymoon in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. The Rockies continued to be a family favorite for vacationing.
Maxine and Ray made their home in Bartlesville where Ray had been working for the Bureau of Mines. Maxine became a homemaker. Maxine and Ray had two children, Timothy and Laura. As a loving mother and wife, Maxine made a wonderful home environment where the whole family thrived as she supported them in all of their activities. As a family, they were active members of the First Presbyterian Church, where Maxine served wherever needed. She loved to take pictures, sew, and became accomplished at china painting. Maxine and Ray also enjoyed round dancing, attending the OK Mozart Festival, traveling to see family and shopping. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary a year early by taking in a tour of Canada, an Alaska cruise and riding in a helicopter where they walked out on an iceberg. In 1998, Maxine and Ray attended a Presbyterian Cursillo weekend which began a Sunday evening Prayer and Share group that continued until 2020.
She was predeceased by: her parents, Peter Roos and Gertrude (Van Roekel) Roos; her parents-in-law, Dr. Jacob and Hannah Heemstra; her siblings, Kenneth (Berdena Roos), Nelvera (Abe Schiebout), Bernice (Fred Baker) and Muriel (Harry Ostendorf); her siblings-in-law, Frank, Marion Heemstra, John G., Jean Heemstra, Al Kessel and Howard Heemstra; her nephews, David Ostendorf, Nolan Schiebout and Bryan Roos; and her niece-in-law Carolyn Lubbers.
She is survived by: her husband Ray; her children, Laura Matthews (Stephen) of Bedford and Timothy Heemstra (Linda) of Bartlesville; her grandchildren, Tommy Lester, Rebecca Lester and Laura Tinsley (Andrew); her great grandchildren, Kylie Graumann (Tyler), Katelyn, Lauren, Ashlyn and Makenna Tinsley; her great great grandchild Navy Jane Graumann; her siblings, Edwin Roos (Beverly) of Sheldon, Gladys Kessel of Jenison and Arlene Lubbers (Chuck) of Orange City; her nieces and nephews, John J. Heemstra (Joan), Firman Schiebout (Cheryl), Daryl Roos (Sharron), Kent Roos (Katie), Jay Roos (Peggy), Rev. Randy Lubbers, Dan Lubbers (Kavita), Dr. Jim Kessel (Cindy), Tom Kessel (Leila), Mark Ostendorf, Keith Roos (Jill), Kory Roos (Julie), Kris Kirchgasler (Mike), Rev. Arlyce Schiebout, Dr. Denise Schiebout, Tammy Hettinga (Norbert), Jana Hanson (Rick), Lenae Harris (Robbie), Karen Lubbers and Kim Rhode (Steve); and her nieces-in-law, Annette Schiebout and Lori Roos.
Memorial Service: 27 October 2023 - Bartlesville First Presbyterian Church - Bartlesville, Oklahoma
Arrangements: Arnold Moore & Neekamp Funeral Homes
Maxine was born September 17, 1928 near Newkirk, Iowa to Peter and Gertrude Roos. She grew up with 5 sisters and 2 brothers on a farm near Newkirk. In 1944, a devastating tornado destroyed their homestead, but by the hand of God, Maxine and her family survived in a storm cellar. The Roos family lived in a new turkey coop for several months before moving to a farm near Ashton.
Maxine graduated from Hospers High School in 1945 and attended Northwestern Jr. College in Orange City, Iowa where she graduated with a teaching certificate. She loved teaching at Rock Rapids and Orange City and years later still remembered many of the names of her students.
Maxine and Ray Heemstra's love story began in Orange City. They were first formally introduced at a banquet at Northwestern College. Later Maxine went to the drug store to purchase a hairbrush and Ray said she smiled at him. She had the sweetest smile! They were married on June 17, 1952 in the Bethel Reformed Church in Sheldon, Iowa, in a ceremony officiated by Ray's father, Dr. Jacob Heemstra and Rev. Teusink. They spent their honeymoon in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. The Rockies continued to be a family favorite for vacationing.
Maxine and Ray made their home in Bartlesville where Ray had been working for the Bureau of Mines. Maxine became a homemaker. Maxine and Ray had two children, Timothy and Laura. As a loving mother and wife, Maxine made a wonderful home environment where the whole family thrived as she supported them in all of their activities. As a family, they were active members of the First Presbyterian Church, where Maxine served wherever needed. She loved to take pictures, sew, and became accomplished at china painting. Maxine and Ray also enjoyed round dancing, attending the OK Mozart Festival, traveling to see family and shopping. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary a year early by taking in a tour of Canada, an Alaska cruise and riding in a helicopter where they walked out on an iceberg. In 1998, Maxine and Ray attended a Presbyterian Cursillo weekend which began a Sunday evening Prayer and Share group that continued until 2020.
She was predeceased by: her parents, Peter Roos and Gertrude (Van Roekel) Roos; her parents-in-law, Dr. Jacob and Hannah Heemstra; her siblings, Kenneth (Berdena Roos), Nelvera (Abe Schiebout), Bernice (Fred Baker) and Muriel (Harry Ostendorf); her siblings-in-law, Frank, Marion Heemstra, John G., Jean Heemstra, Al Kessel and Howard Heemstra; her nephews, David Ostendorf, Nolan Schiebout and Bryan Roos; and her niece-in-law Carolyn Lubbers.
She is survived by: her husband Ray; her children, Laura Matthews (Stephen) of Bedford and Timothy Heemstra (Linda) of Bartlesville; her grandchildren, Tommy Lester, Rebecca Lester and Laura Tinsley (Andrew); her great grandchildren, Kylie Graumann (Tyler), Katelyn, Lauren, Ashlyn and Makenna Tinsley; her great great grandchild Navy Jane Graumann; her siblings, Edwin Roos (Beverly) of Sheldon, Gladys Kessel of Jenison and Arlene Lubbers (Chuck) of Orange City; her nieces and nephews, John J. Heemstra (Joan), Firman Schiebout (Cheryl), Daryl Roos (Sharron), Kent Roos (Katie), Jay Roos (Peggy), Rev. Randy Lubbers, Dan Lubbers (Kavita), Dr. Jim Kessel (Cindy), Tom Kessel (Leila), Mark Ostendorf, Keith Roos (Jill), Kory Roos (Julie), Kris Kirchgasler (Mike), Rev. Arlyce Schiebout, Dr. Denise Schiebout, Tammy Hettinga (Norbert), Jana Hanson (Rick), Lenae Harris (Robbie), Karen Lubbers and Kim Rhode (Steve); and her nieces-in-law, Annette Schiebout and Lori Roos.
Memorial Service: 27 October 2023 - Bartlesville First Presbyterian Church - Bartlesville, Oklahoma
Arrangements: Arnold Moore & Neekamp Funeral Homes
Leola Maxine Heemstra of Bartlesville, Oklahoma passed away on October 16, 2023.
Maxine was born September 17, 1928 near Newkirk, Iowa to Peter and Gertrude Roos. She grew up with 5 sisters and 2 brothers on a farm near Newkirk. In 1944, a devastating tornado destroyed their homestead, but by the hand of God, Maxine and her family survived in a storm cellar. The Roos family lived in a new turkey coop for several months before moving to a farm near Ashton.
Maxine graduated from Hospers High School in 1945 and attended Northwestern Jr. College in Orange City, Iowa where she graduated with a teaching certificate. She loved teaching at Rock Rapids and Orange City and years later still remembered many of the names of her students.
Maxine and Ray Heemstra's love story began in Orange City. They were first formally introduced at a banquet at Northwestern College. Later Maxine went to the drug store to purchase a hairbrush and Ray said she smiled at him. She had the sweetest smile! They were married on June 17, 1952 in the Bethel Reformed Church in Sheldon, Iowa, in a ceremony officiated by Ray's father, Dr. Jacob Heemstra and Rev. Teusink. They spent their honeymoon in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. The Rockies continued to be a family favorite for vacationing.
Maxine and Ray made their home in Bartlesville where Ray had been working for the Bureau of Mines. Maxine became a homemaker. Maxine and Ray had two children, Timothy and Laura. As a loving mother and wife, Maxine made a wonderful home environment where the whole family thrived as she supported them in all of their activities. As a family, they were active members of the First Presbyterian Church, where Maxine served wherever needed. She loved to take pictures, sew, and became accomplished at china painting. Maxine and Ray also enjoyed round dancing, attending the OK Mozart Festival, traveling to see family and shopping. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary a year early by taking in a tour of Canada, an Alaska cruise and riding in a helicopter where they walked out on an iceberg. In 1998, Maxine and Ray attended a Presbyterian Cursillo weekend which began a Sunday evening Prayer and Share group that continued until 2020.
She was predeceased by: her parents, Peter Roos and Gertrude (Van Roekel) Roos; her parents-in-law, Dr. Jacob and Hannah Heemstra; her siblings, Kenneth (Berdena Roos), Nelvera (Abe Schiebout), Bernice (Fred Baker) and Muriel (Harry Ostendorf); her siblings-in-law, Frank, Marion Heemstra, John G., Jean Heemstra, Al Kessel and Howard Heemstra; her nephews, David Ostendorf, Nolan Schiebout and Bryan Roos; and her niece-in-law Carolyn Lubbers.
She is survived by: her husband Ray; her children, Laura Matthews (Stephen) of Bedford and Timothy Heemstra (Linda) of Bartlesville; her grandchildren, Tommy Lester, Rebecca Lester and Laura Tinsley (Andrew); her great grandchildren, Kylie Graumann (Tyler), Katelyn, Lauren, Ashlyn and Makenna Tinsley; her great great grandchild Navy Jane Graumann; her siblings, Edwin Roos (Beverly) of Sheldon, Gladys Kessel of Jenison and Arlene Lubbers (Chuck) of Orange City; her nieces and nephews, John J. Heemstra (Joan), Firman Schiebout (Cheryl), Daryl Roos (Sharron), Kent Roos (Katie), Jay Roos (Peggy), Rev. Randy Lubbers, Dan Lubbers (Kavita), Dr. Jim Kessel (Cindy), Tom Kessel (Leila), Mark Ostendorf, Keith Roos (Jill), Kory Roos (Julie), Kris Kirchgasler (Mike), Rev. Arlyce Schiebout, Dr. Denise Schiebout, Tammy Hettinga (Norbert), Jana Hanson (Rick), Lenae Harris (Robbie), Karen Lubbers and Kim Rhode (Steve); and her nieces-in-law, Annette Schiebout and Lori Roos.
Memorial Service: 27 October 2023 - Bartlesville First Presbyterian Church - Bartlesville, Oklahoma
Arrangements: Arnold Moore & Neekamp Funeral Homes
Maxine was born September 17, 1928 near Newkirk, Iowa to Peter and Gertrude Roos. She grew up with 5 sisters and 2 brothers on a farm near Newkirk. In 1944, a devastating tornado destroyed their homestead, but by the hand of God, Maxine and her family survived in a storm cellar. The Roos family lived in a new turkey coop for several months before moving to a farm near Ashton.
Maxine graduated from Hospers High School in 1945 and attended Northwestern Jr. College in Orange City, Iowa where she graduated with a teaching certificate. She loved teaching at Rock Rapids and Orange City and years later still remembered many of the names of her students.
Maxine and Ray Heemstra's love story began in Orange City. They were first formally introduced at a banquet at Northwestern College. Later Maxine went to the drug store to purchase a hairbrush and Ray said she smiled at him. She had the sweetest smile! They were married on June 17, 1952 in the Bethel Reformed Church in Sheldon, Iowa, in a ceremony officiated by Ray's father, Dr. Jacob Heemstra and Rev. Teusink. They spent their honeymoon in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. The Rockies continued to be a family favorite for vacationing.
Maxine and Ray made their home in Bartlesville where Ray had been working for the Bureau of Mines. Maxine became a homemaker. Maxine and Ray had two children, Timothy and Laura. As a loving mother and wife, Maxine made a wonderful home environment where the whole family thrived as she supported them in all of their activities. As a family, they were active members of the First Presbyterian Church, where Maxine served wherever needed. She loved to take pictures, sew, and became accomplished at china painting. Maxine and Ray also enjoyed round dancing, attending the OK Mozart Festival, traveling to see family and shopping. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary a year early by taking in a tour of Canada, an Alaska cruise and riding in a helicopter where they walked out on an iceberg. In 1998, Maxine and Ray attended a Presbyterian Cursillo weekend which began a Sunday evening Prayer and Share group that continued until 2020.
She was predeceased by: her parents, Peter Roos and Gertrude (Van Roekel) Roos; her parents-in-law, Dr. Jacob and Hannah Heemstra; her siblings, Kenneth (Berdena Roos), Nelvera (Abe Schiebout), Bernice (Fred Baker) and Muriel (Harry Ostendorf); her siblings-in-law, Frank, Marion Heemstra, John G., Jean Heemstra, Al Kessel and Howard Heemstra; her nephews, David Ostendorf, Nolan Schiebout and Bryan Roos; and her niece-in-law Carolyn Lubbers.
She is survived by: her husband Ray; her children, Laura Matthews (Stephen) of Bedford and Timothy Heemstra (Linda) of Bartlesville; her grandchildren, Tommy Lester, Rebecca Lester and Laura Tinsley (Andrew); her great grandchildren, Kylie Graumann (Tyler), Katelyn, Lauren, Ashlyn and Makenna Tinsley; her great great grandchild Navy Jane Graumann; her siblings, Edwin Roos (Beverly) of Sheldon, Gladys Kessel of Jenison and Arlene Lubbers (Chuck) of Orange City; her nieces and nephews, John J. Heemstra (Joan), Firman Schiebout (Cheryl), Daryl Roos (Sharron), Kent Roos (Katie), Jay Roos (Peggy), Rev. Randy Lubbers, Dan Lubbers (Kavita), Dr. Jim Kessel (Cindy), Tom Kessel (Leila), Mark Ostendorf, Keith Roos (Jill), Kory Roos (Julie), Kris Kirchgasler (Mike), Rev. Arlyce Schiebout, Dr. Denise Schiebout, Tammy Hettinga (Norbert), Jana Hanson (Rick), Lenae Harris (Robbie), Karen Lubbers and Kim Rhode (Steve); and her nieces-in-law, Annette Schiebout and Lori Roos.
Memorial Service: 27 October 2023 - Bartlesville First Presbyterian Church - Bartlesville, Oklahoma
Arrangements: Arnold Moore & Neekamp Funeral Homes
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