Wilhelmina “Billie” Monsma, 96, of Pella passed away Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016, at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House. Memorial services were held Wednesday, Nov. 16, at Trinity Reformed Church, Pella. Family committal service preceded the service at Oakwood Cemetery, Pella. Memorials are suggested for Hospice of Pella or Lynnville Historical Society.
Wilhelmina Terpstra was born in Jasper County on June 28, 1920, the daughter of William and Nellie (Terpstra) Terpstra.
She went through school at the Lynnville Public School and graduated from high school in 1937. “Billie,” as she became known, was a member of the state basketball team.
On Sept. 28, 1938, she was united in marriage with Glen Raymond Monsma and to this union four children were born: Phyllis Lorraine, Lucille Dian, Glenda Sue and Doyle Gene. Glen and Billie farmed south of Sully for 30 years. In 1968, Glen began working at the Rolscreen Company in Pella, and they moved into Pella in 1970 where Billie and Glen continued working until they retired in 1982. They enjoyed their retirement together in Pella until he passed away at their home at the age of 79 years following a courageous and uncomplaining ten-month battle with cancer. Following his death, Billie moved to N. Prairie Street in Pella, where she remained very active and was able to continue living until the day before her death at the age of 96 years, four months and 14 days.
Billie did a lot of handwork, making many dishcloths and quilts. Most recently, she was baking cinnamon rolls and making peanut butter/chocolate balls for her friends and neighbors. But most importantly, she was active in a Bible study group with “90-year-old ladies” at Trinity Reformed Church in Pella, where she was a faithful member since transferring her membership from Sully First Reformed Church.
Billie is survived by four children: Phyllis (David) Mick of Platte City, MO, Dian and Jerry Van Dalen of Overland Park, KS, Glenda Van Zante of Pella, and Doyle Monsma and Mike Sims of Des Moines; nine grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; a sister, Wanda Dunsbergen of Lynnville; and a sister-in-law, Margaret De Jong of Sully.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Glen Monsma; her son-in-law, David Mick; two infant Mick granddaughters; her parents; her three brothers and their wives: George and Lizzie Terpstra, Dick and Minnie Terpstra, Carl Terpstra and his wives, Alma and Ellen; her three sisters and their husbands: Rena and Guy Elscott, Anna and her husbands, Lyle Montgomery and Lambert Olsthoorn, Pauline and Harry Engle; and her brother-in-law, Cornie Dunsbergen. Billie loved her family and enjoyed her friends and neighbors.
