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BORN
1935
DIED
2017
Edith Mertens Obituary
Edith "Sonja" (Westplat) Mertens, born in Magelang, Java Indonesia on January 14, 1935, took her last breath on February 9, 2017 at the age of 82 with her loved ones by her side at her home in Carson, CA. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Buddy Mertens; son, Raphalone (Bernie) Mertens & grandchildren Drew (Octavia) Mertens, Jasmine Mertens, Cassidy (Brent) Oglesby, & Sheldyn Mertens; great-grandson's McKoy, Simeon, & Titus; daughter, Natasha Hawkshaw & grand- children Kalani, Makanani & Polani; daughter, Krystal Nichols & grandchildren, Tiana, Jeremiah, Kali, Soraya & Dimitri; brother, Jozef Westplat, & sister, Judith Tuit.
A Celebration of Life service in honor of Sonja will be held at Mission Ebenezer Family Church @ 415 W Torrance Blvd, Carson, CA 90745, on Saturday, March 18, 2017 @1:00pm and reception immediately following at same location. Please sign the guestbook at www.dailybreeze.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Edith Mertens
Sponsored by Daily Breeze.
John van der Pijl
March 6, 2021
Already 4 years that we miss her. She will be having fun with my mum, her Sister. And since August 2020 my father also joined them. Remembering the times that we all meet in The Netherlands or USA.
Arleen "Babes" Laimana Drew
March 6, 2019
Aloha Tante' Sonja (Big Oma),
I miss you! I thank God, for loaning you to us for the time that He did. You are truly remembered as Proverbs 31 Virtuous Woman. Thank you for being so gracious, kind and loving! I am so glad that I experienced cooking Indonesian Food with you and Bernie. However, the best part was consuming the food we had prepared. Blessed LOVE Auntie ~ Babes
Raphalone Mertens
March 6, 2019
Hi mom, I miss you! Tot straks Love, Raphalone
March 20, 2017
Dear buddy, so sorry to hear about Sonjas passing. Losing a life partner is rough. Time will heal. Hang in there and please accept my condolences. Take care of yourself and may Sonja RIP. Regards, Annelize Ladage. ([email protected])
Judith Henley
March 18, 2017
Sonja was so precious and loved.
- Judy Henley
Peggy Postma
March 17, 2017
My dearest "Sonja", it hurts me that you had to go away from your family and friends....! I still remember you when you and Buddy were living in Monrovia and when Raphalone was born....that's when Armand introduced me to your family and we stayed friends from then on....! Through you both and through Stans Van Raalten, I got to meet many or your friends.... slowly we lost many including Buddy's parents.... and now it was sadly your turn to go.....! R.I.P. my dearest friend and until we will meet again......!!! Your friend always....Peggy Postma....
March 15, 2017
Rest in peace. You were allways very nice to me and welcomed me with open arms.
Beverly Lucaylucay
March 14, 2017
Aunty Sonja, thank you for sharing you life with us all... Your precious love you shared with us will always remain in our hearts and will cherish forever. We love you Aunty till we all meet again, rest in Gods loving arms.... Mahalo with Our Love.
Arleen "Babes" Laimana Drew
March 14, 2017
Dearest Auntie Sonja,
Thank you for sharing your culture with me through your language and food. Thank you for sharing the story of Ellis Island. I believe that you and Opa are the only people I know that came to the U.S. by way of Ellis Island. Thank you also for teaching me how to say "Ik hou van je" when Jasimine was a toddler, so we could say it to one another. Thank you for being more than just a Mother in Law to my Baby Sister Bernie. Thank you for really being family and most of all, my friend. I Love You Auntie... I will see you at the appointed time in Our Father's House!!! Blessed LOVE~
Arleen "Babes" Laimana Drew
March 14, 2017
We were family when we met. I first called you Auntie Sonja, then Oma and later Big Oma. Being that you were my Sister Bernie's Mother In Law, you and I were frequently in the same place at the same time, and we enjoyed a lot of the same things... Thank you for teaching me how to say "Ik hou van je", so I could teach Jasi how to say it to me. Thank you also for teaching me the word "Tante" so the girls (Jasimine, Cassidy and Sheldyn) could learn to call me "Tante Darling"... It is a name that I am proud to have. Even further... I am grateful that McKoy, Simeon and Titus were learning to call me "Oma Darling". I hope it will stick! I apologize for being so long winded... I just have so many great memories with you! I thank God for you Auntie. I LOVE YOU and will miss you until I see you in our Father's house. Blessed LOVE~
Arleen "Babes" Laimana Drew
March 14, 2017
We were family when we met. I first called you Auntie Sonja, then Oma and later Big Oma. Being that you were my Sister Bernie's Mother In Law, you and I were frequently in the same place at the same time, and we enjoyed a lot of the same things... Thank you for teaching me how to say "Ik hou van je", so I could teach Jasi how to say it to me. Thank you also for teaching me the word "Tante" so the girls (Jasimine, Cassidy and Sheldyn) could learn to call me "Tante Darling"... It is a name that I am proud to have. Even further... I am grateful that McKoy, Simeon and Titus were learning to call me "Oma Darling". I hope it will stick! I apologize for being so long winded... I just have so many great memories with you! I thank God for you Auntie. I LOVE YOU and will miss you until I see you in our Father's house. Blessed LOVE~
March 13, 2017
Heaven has definitely gained an angel! You are such a kind spirit! You have such a beautiful soul and will be missed by so many you have touched! I will cherish our fun conversations @ the games and will always remember you and your beautiful smile!! Your heart was so big and selfless it was an honor knowing you!! Thank you for your friendship! RIP
Love Karen Blanke-Pau
Ingrid Helland
March 14, 2017
Yes! Sonya , a sweetheart with a genuine heart. Always so kind and caring and giving. A person can really get close to her thats how she makes you feel. When we get together we joke laugh and giggle and just have fun. I really miss that. I have not seen Sonia since my cousin Yvonne got married in LA in the late 70s. Then about three years ago our family in Lodi found out she was sick that was heartbreaking. Sonya you will always be in our hearts. I am so happy and glad that you were part of our family you will be missed I love you.
John Van der Pijl
March 13, 2017
As the sister of my mum Sonja was my aunt. Always caring and helpfull for everyone. When we go on a holiday to the USA, we always were more than welcome to stay at their house in Carson. I always remember her sentence when you had enough food "eat some more,don't be shy". Last seen/talked to her 4 years ago on my mum's funeral. And now she's gone to. Tante Sonja..we love you and always miss you.So hi to my mum up there. Best regards, John, Almere, The Netherlands.
We love you mom.
Bernie Mertens
March 12, 2017
March 12, 2017
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