A memorial service for Henrietta “Lois” Wolfswinkel was held Wednesday, April 12, 2023, at the First Reformed Church in Sanborn. Pastor Mark Ellens officiated.
Pallbearers were Aaron Wolfswinkel, Jeff Van Beek, Chad Van Beek, William Wolfswinkel, Justin Wolfswinkel, Daniel Wolfswinkel, Wyatt Wolfswinkel, Zane Wolfswinkel, Joseph Vander Broek, Michael Vander Veen, Gabe Vander Veen, Joshua Lee, David Lee and Thomas Lee. Honorary pallbearers were Jessica Wolfswinkel, Tonja Hoogers, Jami Paulson, Kaitlyn Kibler, Hannah Fry, Rachael Schultheis, Moriah Lee, Rebecca Lee and Jessica Goff. Interment was in West Holman Township Cemetery at Sibley. Sanborn Funeral Home assisted with the arrangements.
Henrietta “Lois” Wolfswinkel, the daughter of Thomas and Clara (Soodsma) Feenstra, was born May 18, 1937 in Worthington, Minn. At the age of four, her family moved to Sibley where she received her education. She attended the Sibley Christian School through the eighth grade and then graduated in 1955 from Western Christian High School in Hull.
Lois was united in marriage to Ervin J. Wolfswinkel on June 7, 1956. The new couple made their home in Sibley and was blessed with three sons and five daughters. Throughout their married life, Ervin and Lois lived in Iowa, Minnesota and Colorado, owning and operating various businesses.
Lois was an active member of the First Reformed Church in Sanborn, where she took part in Bible study groups and helped with Awana. She had been a volunteer with Hospice as well as the Village Treasure Chest in Sheldon. She loved to cook and bake, and always had something good to eat if her family should stop by. Lois also enjoyed doing crochet and craft projects and participated in many craft fairs in the area. She found joy in looking at the different birds and flowers from her window. Lois was full of wit and spunk. Some of her favorite times were spent playing games with family and friends. Her caring, generous disposition endeared her to all who knew and loved her.
Lois passed from this life on Friday, April 7, 2023, at the age of 85 years. She will be remembered as a woman who loved God with her whole heart and claimed Jesus as her Savior. She prayed daily for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren; her greatest desire was to be with them again one day in Heaven.
Those left to cherish Lois’ memory are her eight children and their families: Terryl (Vicki) Wolfswinkel, of Scottsdale, Ariz.; Linda (Rod) Van Beek and Brian (Myra) Wolfswinkel, of Sanborn; Jerry (Monica) Wolfswinkel, of Wiggins, Colo.; Lori Wolfswinkel, of Milford; Shari (Dennis) Vander Veen, of Worthington, Minn.; Bonnie (Dean) Lee, of Elizabeth, Colo.; and Brenda (Benjamin) Goff, of Tampa, Fla.; 25 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; one dear sister, Bertie (Pete) Runia, of Ocheyedan; and other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Clara Feenstra; and her husband of 56 years, Ervin Wolfswinkel.