Obituary of Grace Hartog

    Grace Hartog, daughter of Robert and Theodora (Rodenburg) Vander Werff, was born May 19, 1919 at Hull, IA. She spent her youth in the Hull area, attending Hull Christian Grade School, then graduating from Hull Western Christian High School with the class of 1937. Grace furthered her education at Westmar College in Le Mars, IA, earning her teaching endorsement.

    On November 29, 1945, Grace was united in marriage to Cornelius “Cornie” Hartog at the Christian Reformed Church in Hull. The new couple made their home at 201 Floyd Street in Sanborn, IA where they raised their four children – Ron, Marcia, Doris, and Curt. Their entire married life would be spent at this address, and many happy memories were created there. Grace made sure their house was welcoming to friends and neighbors, as well as a warm, safe place for her family to come home to. Along with managing her household, Grace taught for many years at the Christian Schools in Sanborn, Ireton, and Hull, IA. While she enjoyed using her teaching skills, her main priority remained caring for her own growing family.

    Grace was a member of the Cornerstone United Reformed Church at Sanborn. Over the years, she participated in church activities and did her part in serving where she was needed.

    Following Cornie’s passing in 2006, Grace remained in their home in Sanborn; children, grandchildren, and community activities kept her life full and rewarding. For decades, the employees and customers of Hartog Elevator were often the thankful recipients of home-baked goods from her kitchen, whether it was a new recipe or an old stand-by, didn’t matter…nobody complained! Grace never knew a stranger, and if they were, they wouldn’t be for long. Her caring, compassionate nature and friendly smile had a way of drawing people in. This proved especially true when she moved to Prairie View Inn at Sanborn and made it her new home.

    On Saturday, September 15, Grace passed from this life at the age of 99 years. She will always be remembered by those who knew her for her gentle and loving spirit and for her unwavering faith in her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

    Grace was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Theodora Vander Werff; her husband, Cornie Hartog; her son, Ronald Hartog; brothers: Bill Vander Werff and Cornie Vander Werff; and her sisters: Tena Pollema, Ella Juffer, Wilma Jansma-DeWild, and Roberta Boogerd.

    Left to cherish her memory are her children: Marcia (Bob) Douma of Sanborn, IA, Doris (Eldon) Krikke of Hartley, IA, and Curt (Darlene) Hartog of Sanborn, IA; 11 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; brother, John Vander Werff of Sanborn, IA; sisters: Theodora Lokhorst and Esther Roozeboom both of Hull, IA; one brother-in-law, Jim Boogerd of Hull, IA; sister-in-law, Delores Vander Werff of Sanborn, IA; many other relatives and dear friends.

    Throughout her life, Grace’s immediate and extended family have always remained very important to her, as she was to all of them.