Mardelle Mae Feenstra, 81

Published 10:25 am Friday, March 31, 2017

Mardelle Mae Feenstra, 81

Mardelle Mae Feenstra, 81

Mardelle Mae Feenstra, 81, of Norfolk, Nebraska, went home to her Lord surrounded by her family on Wednesday, March 29, 2017, at her home.

She was born March 8, 1936, to her parents Peter and Ida (Bonnema) Rynders in Hull, Iowa. Mardelle went to Hull Grammar School and graduated from Western Christian School in 1954. She met the love of her life, Pierce Feenstra, and they married on June 24, 1958. They were blessed with four children, Paul, Richard, Sean Daniel, and Candi. She worked at the telephone company in Hull until their son Paul was born. Pierce and Mardelle were excited to grow their family. In 1967, they moved to Norfolk.

In 1975, they moved south of Norfolk and owned and operated the Feenstra Apple Farm for 32 years.  During that time, she attended Wayne State College and obtained her bachelor’s degree. She became a paralegal at a local law firm until retiring in 2000. Mardelle enjoyed the local garden club and was gifted with growing all types of flowers and plants including amaryllis, African violets, and pink clovers. She cherished discussing the Bible with friends and family. Mardelle was a gifted pianist and organist, teaching for many years and playing for many churches. She loved walks, long drives in the country and traveling. Her favorite activity was having all of her children and grandchildren home, cooking and caring for all. Mardelle had a loving and forgiving spirit and will be greatly missed.

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She is survived by her husband, Pierce; children, Paul (Ann Ulwelling) of Austin, Minnesota, Sean Daniel (Daniele) of South Sioux City, Nebraska, and Candi (Ed) Lewis of Norfolk; daughter-in-law, Pam Feenstra of Greenbrier, Arkansas; grandchildren, Joshua (Janell), Jeremiah (Megan), Jared, Jessica, Peter, Morgan, Mallory, Quinn, Nathan Feenstra, Cassie, James, Johanna, and Rosemary Lewis; great-grandchildren, Kailee, Micah and Lyla Feenstra; siblings, Esther Olivier, Joyce Hughes, Peter (Bernice) Rynders, Denny (Kathy) Rynders, and Ron (Karen) Rynders. Mardelle was preceded in death by her son, Richard; parents; brother, Harold Rynders; and grandson, Meshach Lee Burge.

Funeral services for Mardelle M. Feenstra will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 1, 2017, at Christ is King Community Church in Norfolk. The Rev. Glenn Wapelhorst will officiate. Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Home for Funerals in Norfolk.