Elizabeth Jeane “Liz” Wynja was born on January 23, 1933, to William and Margaret (TenHaken) DeLeeuw in Hull, IA. As the oldest of five girls, Elizabeth lived her youth near Middleburg, IA, and received her education at schools near Sioux Center, IA.

    On September 24, 1949, Elizabeth was united in marriage to James “Jim”  Wynja at her parents’ home in Middleburg. Following their marriage, Liz and Jim lived in Sioux County, IA, for four years and then moved to a farm south of Lake Park, IA, for eight years. Eventually, they moved to their farm northwest of Melvin, IA, where they resided with their five children and were engaged in farming until moving to the town of Melvin in 1968.

    Along with caring for her growing family, Liz had also been employed as a factory worker making popcorn bags and held secretarial positions at Melvin Community School and Farm Service, Inc., both located in Melvin. She was a member of the Melvin First Reformed Church for over 70 years, participating in the Reformed Church Women’s group. The bonds she had made through her church family and the kindness they had shown her remained an important part of her life. She enjoyed taking short trips, attending plays and the summer theater, listening to music, and an occasional visit at JR’s. She had also been part of the Red Hat Society of Melvin. In the summer, the time she spent tending her flowers yielded its own rewards.

    Liz had always been very proud of her family. In later years she enjoyed welcoming each new grandchild, watching them grow, and attending their school and church activities. As a mother of twins herself, she was pleasantly surprised when her last three grandkids arrived as triplets! 

    Due to vision impairment issues, Liz became a resident of Prairie View Assisted Living in Sanborn, IA. Here she made many new acquaintances while keeping in touch with old familiar friends. On Friday, May 16, 2025, Liz passed away at Prairie View Nursing Home where she had resided since June 2024; she was 92 years of age.

    Grateful for having shared her life are her children: Barbara (Craig) Sorensen of Melvin, IA, Ronald (Kathy) Wynja of Sibley, IA, Michael (Kay) Wynja, and Mark (Marsha) Wynja, both of Melvin, IA; 13 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; two sisters and their spouses: Marilyn (Lorin) Schafer and Carol (Paul) Adkins all of Sioux Center, IA; other relatives and friends. 

    She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, James in 2005; an infant son; her son, Robert Wynja in 2023; an infant grandson, Timothy Sorensen; two sisters: Donna Vonk and Joyce DeLeeuw; and granddaughter-in-law, Stacey Sorensen in 2013.