Berneda G. (Van Wyk) Steenhoek, 90, of Pella, passed away Saturday afternoon, July 25, 2026, at Pella Regional Health Center.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, July 30, at Connect Church (formerly First Christian Reformed Church), Pella. Committal service will precede the service at 9 a.m. at Evergreen Cemetery, Leighton. Memorial contributions are preferred for Pella Christian Schools.
Berneda Gertrude (Van Wyk) Steenhoek was born June 14, 1936, to Raymond D. and Dora J. (Jansen) Van Wyk in Lynnville. She was raised in the Sully area and graduated from Sully Christian School. There, she learned the value of hard work and caring for others. She began work at the age of 14, helping to care for many families while also caring for her younger siblings.
Berneda met Marvin Steenhoek at a family wedding, and they were married Feb. 20, 1958, at Sully Christian Reformed Church.
Marvin and Berneda moved to a farm two miles northwest of Leighton and continued to reside there until January 1966, when they returned to live and farm at the family’s homeplace.
They were long-term, active members of Leighton CRC. Their family grew throughout the years with four daughters: Donna Jean, Nancy Beth, Marla Rae, and Beverly Joy and the acceptance of many foster children whom they provided for as their own.
Life on the farm suited Berneda well, and she found joy in helping Marvin, as well as gardening, canning, raising chickens, sewing, and baking. She was a dedicated mother and made sure to pass on these skills to her daughters. More importantly, she passed on her strong faith and Christian values.
Throughout her life, Berneda’s heart for serving others was apparent. When Marvin was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, she dedicated herself to caring for him. After Marvin became a resident in the nursing home, Berneda visited daily and participated in his care until his passing in 2002. She also assisted others in the home, regularly bringing home and mending items for residents.
She was a dedicated grandmother to her grandchildren and had an individual bond with each of them. She was a faithful fan of any sports teams her grandchildren were on and attended as many events as she could. Despite being perplexed by football, she attended and cheered at many cold games. All of her grandchildren received a handmade quilt from Berneda for their high school graduations.
Berneda was a hard worker her entire life. For many years, she worked as a nursing tech at Pella Regional Health Center. Even after retirement, she spent many hours volunteering at the Legacy Thrift Store, only giving up that position when her health began to decline at the age of 88.
After retirement, she also enjoyed traveling with friends and family. She especially enjoyed annual trips with her four daughters.
She became a resident of Independence Village in 2013, where she continued to enjoy her passions.
After moving to Pella, she was a dedicated member of Connect Church. Berneda also regularly gardened, quilted, and played Rummikub with friends almost every night. If she wasn’t busy with those hobbies, she would always have a book in hand.
Berneda was fiercely independent and sassy her entire life. She will be greatly missed by her siblings, four daughters, 15 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, extended family, and all her friends.
