Obituary of Jennie Marie Branderhorst

Jennie Marie Branderhorst, the daughter of Marion and Hattie (Van Hal) Van Soelen, was born October 19, 1929. Jennie received her teaching certificate from Central College in Pella, IA. She taught elementary school for several years before marriage. On November 6, 1952, Jennie was united in marriage with William M. Branderhorst in Sully, IA. Jennie was a longtime Nurse’s Aide at Skiff Medical Center in Newton, IA. She was a member of the Newton Christian Reformed Church where she served in many capacities including Sunday school teacher and GEMS leader. Jennie loved her family deeply. She enjoyed gardening, traveling, crocheting, reading, cooking and baking. She was always known for delivering her baby roses to hurting friends and shut-ins. Jennie died on Monday, April 27, 2015, at her home in Newton. She was 85. Jennie was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, William on November 23, 2008. Those left to honor Jennie’s memory include her sons, William G. (Margie) Branderhorst of Newton and Mark E. (Lois) Branderhorst of Pella; her daughters, Judith A. (Allen) Nikkel of Urbandale and Joyce E. (Craig) VanDerWilt of Newton; her ten grandchildren; her four great grandchildren; her brothers, Peter Van Soelen, Cornelius Van Soelen, Marion (Jan) Van Soelen, Francis (Karen) Van Soelen, Robert (Marilyn) Van Soelen; her sisters, Gertrude Van Soelen, Martha Weg, Henrietta Terpstra, Betty Nikkel; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Marvin (Pauline) Branderhorst, Willa Branderhorst, Esther (Bill) Wellington, Pearl Van Zee; and her many nieces and nephews. Services will be held on 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 30, 2015, at the Newton Christian Reformed Church. The family will greet friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home in Newton. Memorials may be designated to the Newton Christian School; Wesley Life Hospice or Rehoboth Christian School in Rehoboth, NM