Emma W. Rykhoek, 95, of Pella and formerly of Sully, passed away Sunday morning, Sept. 22, 2019, at the Oska-loosa Care Center in Oskaloosa.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, Sept. 26, at 11 p.m. at Calvary Christian Reformed Church in Pella. Interment will be in Sully Cemetery. Memorials have been designated for Hospice of Pella or the Oskaloosa Care Center.
Emma Wilhelmina (Van Norden) Rykhoek was born Mar. 1, 1924, to Gerrit and Cornelia (Van Dyk) Van Norden. Second youngest of 12 siblings, she grew up on a farm east of Sully. She completed the eighth grade at Taylor Country School. After graduation, she worked with her brothers and sisters on the farm and for a short time she worked in Kellogg Manufacturing.
June 25, 1946, she was united in marriage to Carl William Rykhoek, son of Ben and Marie (Klein) Rykhoek. To this union, two children were born: Irvin Carl and Maurice Eugene.
Emma and Carl moved in with Carl’s father Ben and brother Merlin for about one year after their marriage. They then moved to a farm east of Reasnor where they farmed for 31 years. A hard worker, Emma helped Carl on the farm and raising their two boys.
Emma was known for her green thumb as she tended to her large garden. Family and friends enjoyed her cooking and especially her famous almond bars. They retired from the farm and moved to Pella in January 1980. There, she worked cleaning doctor’s offices and continued to garden. She was an active member of Calvary Christian Reformed Church and volunteered in women’s and service ministries. In 2007, she moved to Vriendschaap Village and was privileged to live there with two of her sisters. In her last two years, she was under the care of Pella Hospice and Oskaloosa Care Center.
Those left to cherish her memory include her two sons, Irvin Rykhoek of Knoxville and Maury (Brenda) Rykhoek of Pella; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Those preceding her in death include her husband Carl, her parents, and her siblings: Effie Pleima, Case Van Norden, Hendrika Struik, Hank Van Norden, Nellie Jansen, Bill Van Norden, Alice Jansen, Jennie Van Sant, Marie Terlouw, Sophia Renaud, and brother Herman Van Norden who died in infancy.
Her life was marked by her faithfulness and love for God and others. She is admired for her wit, strength, and determination. Greatly loved, her family rejoices with her as she enters her eternal home.
