Marjorie Fopma, 85, of Pella and formerly of Sully, passed away Friday, July 14, 2017, at Mercy Medical Cen-ter in Des Moines. Services were Thurs-day, July 20, at 11 a.m. at Covenant Reformed Church in Pella. Interment was in the Sully Cemetery. Memorials may be given for Pella Christian High School or World RENEW.
Marjorie Dahm was born July 27, 1931, in Oskaloosa. She was a daughter of Henry and Minnie (Van Roekel) Dahm. Marjorie attended the Peoria Christian Grade School and graduated from Pella Christian High School.
Mar. 15, 1950, she was united in marriage with Richard Gene Fopma at the home of her parents near Peoria and to this union five children were born. Rich and Marge raised their family on their farm five miles north of Sully. While on the farm, Marge worked hard, gardening, canning, raising chickens, and providing meals for her family. She ran many errands for Rich so the farm equipment ran smoothly. Marge enjoyed giving her daughters piano lessons, sewing for the family, and later quilting and crocheting. Her grandchildren were recipients of many of her quilts and crocheted blankets. She also served at the Sully Christian Reformed Church by leading Bible studies, being a Calvinette counselor, and working in the church library.
In 1988, they moved into a home they had built in Sully. Marge and Rich enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and Europe. They volunteered for eight years with CRWRC (World RENEW) projects. They became members of Covenant United Reformed Church and later moved to Pella in 2007.
Marjorie fondly remembered her years growing up in Peoria and loved visiting with her sisters, cousins, and friends. She was faithful in sending timely cards and notes to her church family, relatives, and loved ones. She loved her grandchildren and great-grand-children and enjoyed following their activities. A visit from any of her family or friends would bring out that treasured smile. She would be sure to offer them orange pop and some of her homemade goodies
Rich passed away Nov. 12, 2015, and following his death, Marge resided at Vriendschap Village. Early in 2017, she was moved to Homestead Memory Care in Oskaloosa.
Marge is remembered for being a prayer warrior on behalf of her family and also for her gentle, sweet spirit. Her servant heart will be greatly missed.
Marjorie is survived by her five children: Ervin (Gayle) Fopma of Sully, Judy (Tim) Hoekstra of Chino, CA, Verna (Al) Klyn of Oskaloosa, Rick (Carla) Fopma of Lynnville, and Loren (Shawna) Fopma of Sully; 17 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; two brothers: Arnold (Susan) Dahm of Cleveland, OH, John (Sandi) Dahm of Montezuma; three sisters: Norma (Ronald) Hiemstra of Des Moines, Barbara Slinker of West Des Moines, Erma (Al) Guise of St. Louis, MO; her brother-in-law, Ted De Vries of Prescott, AZ; and three sisters-in-law: Bertha Zylstra and Clarine Van Kooten, both of Sully, and Lois Van Wyk of Pella.
Marjorie was preceded in death by her husband for 65 years, Richard Fopma; her parents: Henry and Minnie Dahm; her sister, Ruth De Vries; her brother-in-law, Phil Slinker; her parents-in-law: Rutford and Hattie (Jansen) Fopma; and the following brothers-in-law: William Zylstra, Donald Van Kooten, Clarence Van Kooten, and Norman Van Wyk.
