Mrs. Verna Mae Zonnefeld

Verna Mae Zonnefeld of Artesia, California, went into the safe arms of Jesus on Saturday, August 10, 2019. Verna Mae was born in Sanborn, Iowa, on August 8, 1933, to Leonard and Carrie Nootenboom. She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard Zonnefeld. She is survived by her children Cheryl (Rick) Glover of Ladera Ranch, CA; Deanne (Ken) Grasmeyer of Cypress, CA; Larry Zonnefeld of Norwalk, CA; Valerie (Norm) Knox of Yucaipa, CA; Lynette (Gregg) VandeKieft of Olympia, WA; and Darren (Sharon) Zonnefeld of Wyoming, MI. Additionally, she is survived by her beloved twelve grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and her brothers and sisters. At seven years old, Verna Mae moved with her family to California where they lived and worked on several dairy farms. She attended Bellflower (Valley) Christian Schools and graduated two years later from Calvin College with her teaching degree. She returned to Bellflower Christian Schools to teach fourth grade from 1952-1954. During a leave from serving in the Navy, Howard married Verna Mae on June 17, 1953. From 1955 to 1966 they added six children to their family. In the early years of their marriage, Howard worked in the dairy business, and Verna Mae was a homemaker with the young children. Later, Howard and Verna Mae owned and operated Denny's Toys together on Pioneer Boulevard in Artesia. Verna Mae helped Howard close Denny's Toys, worked in the Cerritos College Library, served as a substitute teacher, and was a familiar face at the reception desk of Artesia Christian Home for many years. Verna Mae loved the Lord, and she loved to teach His Word to her own children and later led women's Bible studies. Music was a big part of her life as well. During her time at Calvin College, her choir sang for Queen Juliana of the Netherlands. She also sang Handel's Messiah with the Oratorio Society for years, sang in the church choir, and played piano and sang for hours at home, which is a legacy she passed on to her children. In her 50th wedding anniversary biography, she wrote the following: "I am thankful that God blessed our union with six beautiful children and continues to bless our lives in the grandchildren. I am also thankful that family was as important to Howard as it was to me." Visitation was held on Thursday, August 15, from 5:30 – 8:30 PM at Forest Lawn in Cypress, CA. The interment service was at 10:30 AM at Forest Lawn on Friday, August 16. The memorial service was held on Friday, August 16, at 1:00 PM at Trinity Christian Reformed Church, 18718 Grayland Avenue in Artesia, CA, with Pastor Rick Westra officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorial contributions to Artesia Christian Home (11614 183rd St, Artesia, CA 90701) or your favorite charity. We rejoice in the blessed assurance that she belonged in life and in death to her faithful Savior, Jesus Christ her Lord.