March 28, 2024

Alice Dorothy Vande Kieft

June 25, 2017

Alice Dorothy Talsma was born July 29, 1924, on the family farm near Sully. She was the first of six children born to James and Nellie Baarda Talsma. Dorothy attended Christian country school and graduated from Newton High School with the class of 1942. On Dec 19, 1945, she was united in marriage with Harold Vande Kieft at her parents’ home near Colfax, and to this union a daughter, Joyce, was born. Dorothy and Harold farmed near Prairie City before their retirement in 1990. Dorothy and Harold both loved to travel and enjoyed many fun trips together. Dorothy enjoyed working side by side with Harold on the family farm. She loved being a homemaker and mother to Joyce. Dorothy loved her grandchildren and always made time for a game of Yahtzee and Scrabble when they were around. Casey’s taco pizza and Goldie’s ice cream were favorites during these precious visits. Dorothy was a wonderful cook and her baked goods were always delicious. Dorothy always looked forward to spending time with her special niece, Pat Callahan. They always enjoyed stopping for pie at the Village Inn. Dorothy cherished the times they spent together. Dorothy always had a lot of fun with her sister-in-law, Annie. Going out for lunch together on Sundays after church was always a good time. Dorothy loved to bird watch, read books and work on her cross word puzzles.

Dorothy was a member of the Prairie City Christian Reformed Church where over the years she was involved in many activities which included librarian, Sunday school teacher and ladies aide. She enjoyed her church family.

Following the death of her husband Harold Feb. 24, 1993, Dorothy left the farm and moved to Prairie City. On Sunday evening June 25, 2017, surrounded by her family, she passed away peacefully at the Comfort House in Pella at the age of 92. Dorothy was a wonderful mother and grandmother and will be greatly missed by her family.

Dorothy is survived by her daughter; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. They are Joyce Steadham of Wall Lake, Sara and Chris Harris of Aurora, Colo., Blake Steadham, Jessica and Tim Aschinger of Lake View, Ryan Bellcock, Reese Aschinger, Matthew and Laura Steadham of Lenexa, Kan., Jack and Jade. Of her original family, Dorothy leaves a younger brother, James Talsma and his wife, Bert of Newton; sister, Karalyn Schroeder and her husband, Duane of Colfax; and sister, Jo Stursma of Pella. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold; her parents, Nellie and James Talsma; her parents-in-law, Gerrit and Sarah Vande Kieft; and the following siblings and in-laws and their spouses, Bill Talsma, Eunice and Bob Davidson, Margaret and Dale De Graff, Albert and Edith VandeKieft, Arthur Vande Kieft and Cornie Stursma.

A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, July 7 at the Prairie City Christian Reformed Church. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at Waveland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Hospice of Pella Comfort House and condolences may be left for the family at coburnfuneralhomes.com.