Sophia Renaud, 90, of Pella and formerly of Sully, died Jan. 21, 2016. Funeral services were held Monday, Jan. 25, at Sully Christian Reformed Church with Rev. Brian Oschner officiating. A private family burial was held prior to the funeral. Memorials may be made to Franklin Graham Samaritan’s Purse or Sully Christian Reformed Church.
Sophia Van Norden was born June 7, 1925, to Gerrit and Cornelia (Van Dyk) Van Norden in Jasper County northeast of Sully.
Sophia attended the Taylor #4 Country Grade School east of Sully through the eighth grade. Early on, she went to work at the Sully Creamery, where she met her husband, Myron Renaud. They married in Texas on Sept. 2, 1944, while Myron was in boot camp. While they lived in Texas, Sophia worked in a school cafeteria. As Myron went overseas to war, Sophia returned to Sully and went to work at a factory in Kellogg, where she supported the war effort by stamping out handles for munitions boxes. Upon Myron’s return, they moved to the Sully area, where they started farming south of Sully and welcomed two sons, Merle and Rudy.
In 1962, they moved to a farm north of Sully. In 1979, they retired and moved into Sully. In 2009, they moved to Vriendschap Village in Pella. Sophia was privileged to live there along with her two sisters, Marie and Emma. On Mar. 16, 2012, Myron died.
Sophia had many talents and loved to crochet, knit, and quilt. She also enjoyed cooking and baking. She also helped Myron in his woodworking shop, staining and varnishing projects for their granddaughters. She was a devoted member of Sully Christian Reformed Church, a member of Ruth Circle, and made quilts for missions.
Those left to cherish her memory are: Her two sons Merle (Karen) Renaud of Florida and Rudy (Shirley) Renaud of Council Bluffs; five grandchildren: Rochelle Dede, Renee (Justin) Koneck, Sara (John) Ernst, Carrie (Kevin) Nash, and Alisha (Brandon) Baas; nine great-grandchildren: Naomi and Samuel Dede, Tyler and Mirella Koneck, Lydia and Fletcher Ernst, Chloe Nash, Vivienne and Faye Baas; a sister Emma Rykhoek; and many nieces and nephews.
Those preceding her in death were her husband; 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, and brother Herman Van Norden who died in infancy.
She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
