Carla Zylstra, 90, of Pella and formerly of Sully, passed away Thurs-day, Sept. 14, 2023, at The Cottages in Pella.
Funeral services were Tuesday, Sept. 19, at 10:30 a.m. at Sully Christian Reformed Church. Interment was in Sully Cemetery. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be designated for Hope Ministries.
Carla Rae Kooistra was born Oct. 24, 1932, at Lynnville. She was the first of two children born to Bernard and Nellie (Van Genderen) Kooistra, her younger brother was Larry Marvin. Carla received her grade school education at a country grade school and completed her education at Sully High School. Following her graduation, she was united in marriage with Seymour “Zeke” Zylstra at her parents’ home before Zeke was deployed overseas with the United States Army. Following his discharge, Carla and Zeke were blessed with five children: Craig Warren, Curt Allen, Sheri Diane, Kathy Lynn, and Susan Gail. Carla was a devoted homemaker and a busy farmwife while they farmed near Sully. Her Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday meals were enjoyed by her family for many years. Carla started working at the Coffee Cup Café in Sully after high school and then again after her children were older where she was employed for almost 30 years. Sunday morning “after church coffee times” were a weekly enjoyment by her family. Carla and Zeke faithfully followed their grandchildrens’ activities and supported them in every way. They all looked forward to their chocolate birthday cakes from Grandma Carla. Carla continued living in Sully following Zeke’s death on May 27, 2013, until becoming a resident at The Cottages in Pella in January 2021. Carla was very gifted musically, playing the piano by ear and also playing the organ at church for many years. Her love of piano and singing was passed down to her family who will fondly remember her. They are her five children, many grandchildren, many great-grandchildren, and their families: Craig (Linda) Zylstra, Curt (Donna) Zylstra, Sheri (Doug) Huyser, and Susan (Mike) Jansen, all of Sully; and Kathy Hoegh of Urbandale. Carla leaves her sister-in-law Joyce and her husband Bruce Nikkel of Pella; along with the following brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Rolland “Duke” Zylstra of Sully, Arthur (Verna) Zylstra of Pella, Joan “Joey” Bandstra of Pella, Bertha Talsma of Newton, and Linda Rus of Pella.
Carla was preceded in death by her husband Zeke; her son-in-law Rod Hoegh; her parents; her brother Larry Kooistra; her parents-in-law Reink and Johanna Christina (Rolffs) Zylstra; and the following brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Martin (Carol) Zylstra, Ludolph (JoAnn) Zylstra, Robert (Harriet) Zylstra, Quintin (Alice) Zylstra, Revena (Frank) Gritters, Pat Zylstra, John Bandstra, James Talsma, and Donald Rus.
Carla made profession of her faith at Sully Community Church and remained a faithful member of Sully Christian Reformed Church.
