Minnie (Christians) Rietema

Minnie Rietema, 85, of Kanawha, passed away Tuesday, December 21, 1999 at Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt, Iowa.

Minnie, the daughter of Nick and Nellie (Beninga) Christians, was born January 30, 1914 on a farm south of Kanawha.  She was united in marriage with John Rietema on January 24, 1936 at her parents farm home in rural Hancock County.  The couple farmed south of Kanawha until John passed away on September 17, 1977.  Minnie later moved to Kanawha and resided in her own home until entering the Kanawha Community Home in January of 1999.

Minnie professed her faith in the Lord and was a lifetime member of the Christian Reformed Church.  She taught Sunday school and was active in 4-H leadership in Wright County.  Minnie cherished the visits of her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and numerous friends and relatives.

Minnie is survived by her children: Wayne and his wife, Bev of Kanawha, Janice Cooper and her husband, Larry of Kanawha, and Marvin and his wife, Helene, of Sioux Center; 10 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; five sisters: Tena Ruter, Tillie Verbrugge, Henrietta Rietema and her husband, Art, Nettie Assink and her husband, Harold, all of Kanawha, and Marguerite Hensel and her husband, Carol of Stockton, Illinois; two brothers: Ed Christians and his wife, Minnie of Kanawha, and James Christians and his wife, Mavis of Grand Rapids, Michigan; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband John, two great grandchildren, Andrew and Ashley McGeary, and two brothers: Herman and Elmer.