OSKALOOSA — Dirkie Bandstra was born on July 30, 1914. She was the fourth of 12 children born to Dirk and Jennie (Bruxvoort) Vos. 

At that time the family was living in rural Killduff, Jasper County. Dirkie passed away Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, surrounded by her family at the Crystal Heights Care Center in Oskaloosa, at the age of 97.

Dirkie attended Sully Christian Grade School. She made profession of her faith at an early age at the Sully Christian Reformed Church. In her younger years, she worked as a nanny, doing housework and caring for children, including in the homes of the Rev. Griffioen in Sully and the Rev. Monsma in Pella.

Dirkie met William (Bill) Bandstra when her family moved to the Pella area and joined the Second Christian Reformed Church. They were married on Feb. 15, 1940, at her parents’ home near Pella. This union was blessed with five children: Larry Duane, Stanley Eugene, Marcella Jeanne, Peter William and Sandra Ellen.

As a family they farmed in the Otley, Pella, and Harvey areas before moving to their home on Franklin Street in Pella. Bill and Dirkie enjoyed being custodians at the Second Christian Reformed Church for several years before retiring. At the present time her home was the Crystal Heights Care Center in Oskaloosa, where she lovingly helped care for her husband until he went home to be with his Lord.

Faith and family came first in her life, as she was a very devoted wife and mother and received great happiness in loving her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Dirkie enjoyed baking and loved to have her family and friends join them for “coffee time.”

Dirkie was a faithful member of the Second Christian Reformed Church in Pella, a long-time member of the former Golden Hour Society, and the Priscilla Society.

Among those who will cherish her memory are her children and spouses: Larry and Linda Bandstra, of rural Harvey, Marcie and Gerrit Vander Beek, of rural Otley, and Sandi and Bryce Bruxvoort, of Oskaloosa; six grandchildren: Lori and Paul Iverson, Rick and Leora Bandstra, Dan Vander Beek, Cheryl and Steve Gosselink, Tom and Heather Bandstra, and Becki Ford; nine great-grandchildren: Luke and Rachel Iverson, Lindsey Jansen, Laci, Tyler and Brianna Gosselink, Mason and Morgan Ford, and Miranda Bandstra. Also one sister, Laura (Andrew) Slings, of Pella; four brothers: Richard (Wilma) Vos, Paul (Marilyn) Vos, Harold (Carolyn) Vos, all of Pella, and Marion (Annette) Vos, of Grandville, Mich.; sister-in-law Alma (John) Vos, of Pella. Also surviving sister-in-law Joyce Bandstra, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Gertrude and Henry Vande Voort; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Preceding Dirkie in death was her husband of 68 years, Bill on Nov. 28, 2008; two sons: Peter William (stillborn) on Dec. 28, 1954, and Stanley Eugene, at the age of 12 years, on July 30, 1955; her mother Jennie in 1967; her father Dirk in 1974; three sisters: Helen Vos, Adrianna (Jake) Jansen, and Clazena (Henry) Roelofsen; three brothers: William (Marjorie), Bernie (Johanna) and John Vos; a sister-in-law Marjorie M. Vos and brother-in-law Andrew Slings.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, Jan. 24, at the Second Christian Reformed Church. Burial took place at the Oakwood Cemetery in Pella. The Garden Chapel Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.