Florence Van De Riet

Funeral services for Florence Van De Riet, age 92, of Milaca, will be held Thursday, February 14, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at the Christian Reformed Church in Pease with Rev. Michael Ten Haken officiating.  Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 13 at the church and one hour prior to services.  Interment will take place in the Pease Cemetery.

Florence Van De Riet was born March 05, 1926 in Princeton, Minnesota to Henry and Anne (Jongejeugd) Droogsma.  After moving around as a young child, they settled on a farm just west of Princeton. She graduated from Princeton High School in 1944 as salutatorian of her class.  After high school, she worked at Princeton Creamery.  On January 24, 1947, she was united in marriage to Wayne Van De Riet.  Wayne and Florence made their home on a farm southwest of Pease, where they raised their six children.  She lived there for the next 72 years.  She was a homemaker and worked part-time with her brothers at Droogsma Locker in Princeton. 

Florence loved her family deeply, never missing a baptism, graduation, wedding, or sporting event until her health prevented her from traveling.  She and her husband enjoyed gardening, fishing, traveling, playing cards, and bowling.  She was quick to help her community; including bringing food to those in need. Florence was an active, lifelong member of the Christian Reformed Church in Pease where she served as a Sunday school teacher, Mission Society Bible leader, choir member, and various other volunteer committees.  Florence went home to her Lord while a resident of the Milaca Elim Home on Saturday, February 09, 2019.

She is survived by her children, Marilyn (Don) Hielkema of Brooklyn Park, Lois (Dick) Ritzema of Milaca, Phil of Milaca, Bob of Milaca, Lynette (Bob) Swanson of Milaca, and daughter-in-law, Carol Van De Riet of Princeton;  eleven grandchildren, Patti (Eric) Bjurman, Scott (Jen) Ritzema, Kristin Van De Riet, Steve (Natalie) Ritzema, Bryon (Erin) Ritzema, Jon (Beth) Ritzema, Mike (Karee) Van De Riet, Nicki Baumann, Jeremy (Heather) Ritzema, Jason (Katie) Swanson, and Brad Ritzema; 26 great-grandchildren; brother, Ray (Lil) Droogsma of Milaca, sisters-in-law, Jean Droogsma of Milaca, Joan Droogsma of Milaca, and Carolyn Droogsma of Gulf Breeze, Florida; brother-in-law, Lowell (Mary) Van De Riet of Holland, Michigan; many nieces and nephews.  She was also Grandma Flo to many more.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne; son, Wes; three sisters, Agnes (Herman), Dena (Vernon), and Edith (Herman); three brothers, Sid, Ernie, and Hank; and brother-in-law, Vernon Van De Riet.