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Christina M Rindels
1939 - 2016
Christina M Rindels
1939 - 2016
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1939
DIED
2016
Christina Rindels Obituary
Christina married Kenneth Rindels in 1959 and they had three children, Brian, Shari and Sheila. She devoted her time and energy into their school and activities. She was able to watch all three graduate high school and college followed by careers. They are a reflection of her love of family, education and work ethic. Christina also had a special bond with her grandchildren Deron, Nathan, and Cassaundra. Whether it was birthday cakes or school activities or Christmas time, she poured out her love in many ways.
She lived and taught school in Volga and Watertown, SD then moved to Arizona in 1966. She devoted 47 years of her life to the Phoenix Christian Grade School where she was the school librarian, substitute teacher, art teach and PTA member. Her love for the school and its students was evident at her retirement party in 2015. She and Kenneth were long time members of the Orangewood Christian Reformed Church where she also helped with the church library, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and church activities.
She loved baking and cooking for her family. She knew all of our favorite dishes and would have them ready on birthdays, holidays, and special dinners. Her favorite sport was basketball and was able to enjoy seeing her grandchildren play basketball in high school and college. She was a natural card player who won more often than not and was a magnet for jokers. Her wit and humor even during her illness was sharp and often helped us laugh through hard times.
She is survived by her husband Kenneth, son Brian (Carolyn) Rindels, daughters Shari Rindels and Sheila (Rob) Geiman. Grandchildren Deron (Emily) Rindels, Nathan Rindels and Cassaundra Rindels. Sister Ruth (Calvin) Branderhorst of Oskaloosa, IA and brothers Everett (Jeanette) VandeVoort of Beaver Creek, MN, Henry (Ruth) VandeVoort of New Sharon, IA, George VandeVoort of Orange City, IA, Paul (Beverly) VandeVoort of Jasper, MN; Phil and Darlene VandeVoort of Eldora, IA.
Christina is preceded in death by her parents, Henry John and Ella VandeVoort and Sister-In-Law, Jan VandeVoort.
Visitation services will be held Thursday, Sept 1 from 5-8pm at the Funeraria Del Angel Greer Wilson Mortuary (SW Corner of 59th Ave & Thomas). The Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 am Saturday, September 3 at the Phoenix Christian Reformed Church.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Phoenix Christian School Pre K-8 in the name of Christina Rindels.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Special STANDING UP B-day Hug
Brian Rindels
September 25, 2016
John 14:2 In my Father's house are many rooms. I go to prepare a place for you. Mom, "I can only Imagine" what he has prepared for you.
Mom was a blessing to me. She modeled 2 attributes well: Love and Service
First...she LOVED
Mom LOVED learning and teaching.
- lens of a child, full of hope; imagination
- Mom loved reading...her home library
Mom LOVED our family
- She loved dad and us kids..."some of us could do no wrong :)"
- She loved our spouses unconditionally
- She loved our friends
- She loved her grandkids
Mom LOVED games and was quite competitive
Mom LOVED documentation. Meticulous handwriting, though I did not inherit the handwriting gene.
and Second, Mom SERVED
Mom SERVED her school and the students.
Mom SERVED her family (holiday feasts and every person's favorites).
Mom SERVED her Church and the Lord.
Romans 12:1 " Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor serving the Lord"
Couple of quick stories from the past
I broke a lot of things ( I have a good teacher, Dad). From breaking several house and school windows to breaking the window of my dad's car on my wedding day. She protected me (breaking her NEW favorite lamp story). She saved me (meeting Carolyn for the first time in a broken down VW Bug story).
Nearing the end, My mom's physical body was failing her but her mind was sharp. She could pronounce and spell the medications and knew the times and doses by memory. Even when weary, she wanted to be awake and present with us. She gave us the sweetest hugs and "head locks" She asked for group hugs by hand signals. She loved people praying over her . She loved God's word read (Psalms). Mom said "she was not afraid".
Psalm 23:6 "Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell (in mom's case, "Serve") in the house of the Lord forever"
Grandma's Library Helper
Deron Rindels
September 25, 2016
Surely, I will miss my grandma dearly, but I will carry with me very sweet memories for many years. I will always remember my beloved "cowie" grandma. I will never forget
- Long walks on the farm collecting smooth rocks and spent shotgun shells. Exploring the shiny milking barn, and spending hours on end in the jungle gym of hay bales, corn and cottonseed piles
-Trips to the park to feed the ducks with stale bread
- Infinitely exciting trips to the library to play Helper for the day
- An awesome toy cabinet full of Lincoln logs, odd little tree house, and other old eclectic toys
- Ridiculous amount of time she would spend drawing our requests (mainly pokemon characters)
-Bedtimeless nights away from mom and dad and more importantly the time grandma would lay in bed with us and read.
-Helping EAT the food and goodies of an EXCELLENT ( I mean excellent) cook! I won't be able to have mashed potatoes & gravy without the memory of grandma. (Shoutout for short ribs, roast, pork chops, punch, sugar cookies, club cracker bars and pineapple bars)
- The amount of cow paraphernalia you'd see whenever we visited grandma's house. And, if you didn't know...these cows come in all shapes and sizes.
Most importantly, I will never forget my amazing, loving, gentle, thoughtful grandma whose letters in the mail could brighten any day. I'll remember her tight, long hugs for the rest of my life and I plan to get another one soon enough!
HUGS! HUGS! HUGS!
Nathan Rindels
September 25, 2016
I could not have been more blessed to have such a sweet, loving Grandma. It was evident how much she loved her grandchildren, and we loved her just as much. Words cannot describe how much she will be missed. I cannot wait to get one of Grandma's signature hugs again one day in heaven.
Some of my favorite memories
- Her incredible hugs every time I saw her
-Playing any game, anytime. Getting dominated by Grandma. She was a fierce card game competitor
- How she welcomed Abby into our family and treated her like she was her own grandchild
-Her making me mashed potatoes and gravy specifically because she knew I loved them
- her beautiful cards written to me that could brighten my day immediately
Special Birthday Cakes!
Cassaundra Rindels
September 25, 2016
We shared 2 of the same loves, cooking and crafts. Some of my earliest memories together were shared standing on a chair, cooking at my Grandma's side.
Other memories of my Grandma:
- She loved to read and would tell the best stories
- She could beat anyone in a card game and she wouldn't hold back against her beloved grandchildren
- She had a contagious laugh and beautiful smile
- She wrote letters that would always brighten my day and gave hugs like no one else could
- She was a godly woman and showed me the perfect example of how to be a great wife and mother someday
I loved my grandma wholeheartedly and will miss her until the day we see each other again.
Cassaundra
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My Mom, My Friend
Shari Rindels
September 25, 2016
"Just Like My Mom"
My mom and I shared a special bond- education and teaching! From the 1st day of Kindergarten in Mrs. Dewitt's class when asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I proudly and confidently said, "I'm gonna be a teacher like my mom!"
So...
* I graduated from Dordt College, just like my mom
*I began teaching right out of college, just like my mom
*I fell in love with teaching, just like my mom (She loved 4th grade and library the most, I love 1st grade)
*I've been teaching a lot of years, just like my mom. (Will I get to 47 years like her? I highly doubt it, but I'm on 30 strong! and some of those years were at PCGS, WITH my mom!)
*I can proudly say I love my job and have a special school family, just like my mom
What a comfort to know that in a way I'm just like my mom and part of her lives on through me.
She was one of my best friends! A friend I looked up to, admired and respected. A friend I could talk to, shop with, or play cards/rummikub with for hours. A friend that I will MISS beyond words.
I don't know why God took her home so soon...why she only got 4 months to live. But I do know I was taught to trust in Him and leant not on my own understanding. So that's what I'll do, Trust in God...Just like my mom!
You were the best Mom! I love you and Miss you...Shari
LOVE's guiding hand...
Sheila Geiman
September 25, 2016
Mom was Thoughtful.
She knew all of our personalities, likes and favorite colors. She made sure our favorite dishes were ready to go on holidays, birthdays, and special occasions. Apple Pie, Barbecue Ribs, Potato Salad, Sugar cookies, Cranberry Salad, and Apple Cake just to name a few. She loved giving cards and could pick the perfect sentiment. She had the right advice at the right times always given as encouragement and never critical. Each of us, including the grandkids have memories of all the special homemade birthday cakes and individualized Christmas gifts like Bacon, Chocolate Covered Cherries and the best ever, a Barbie Corvette.
Mom was Devoted
She gave herself to her work, church and family. The endless hours spent at home processing new and used books into the library, typing cards for the card catalogue, and mending books were just some of the things she did because she wanted the library to be the best experience possible for the students. Year in and year out, she managed the church library, taught Vacation Bible School and Sunday School, and church luncheons and coffee hours. Mom always had dinner ready, laundry done, made holidays extra special, had time to play games & plan family vacations and got involved in all of our sports and activities.
Mom was Gracious
It was never about her. She worked diligently and quietly doing what was needed. She worked hard so the students would have a love of books and learning and the school would continue to grow She supported her children and grandchildren to become the best people they could be through encouragement and constant presence. Particularly during the last 3 months, she always thanked the doctors, nurses, health aides who took care of her. She made them comfortable and even laugh with her quick witted one-liners. It was rare to hear a complaint. We heard over and over what a special person our mom was and how our family was different than most. I was amazed at her beautiful, quiet strength as she endured what was happening.
I can only strive to continue her legacy of Thoughtfulness, Devotion and Graciousness. There are no words to sufficiently describe the love and respect I have for hershe was an incredible woman and I was blessed beyond measure to have her for a mom. I love you mom, Always!
Sheila
Brad and Kathy DeBoer
September 5, 2016
Shari, and family,
Our sympathy to you, your dad, and siblings. May God comfort you in your sorrow.
Q&A 1
My only comfort in life and in death that I am not my own but belong body and soul to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ.
Tony & Judy Schwartz
September 2, 2016
Uncle Ken,Brian,Shari,Sheila and families. May our Gracious Lord bring you comfort during this difficult time.
September 1, 2016
We are so sorry for your loss! Sending our love and prayers for strength during this time. We have been neighbors for years and will be there for Ken whenever needed. God bless and watch over all her precious family and friends.
Tom and Judy Rizzo. Laveen Az
Chad & Cathy Feenstra
September 1, 2016
Uncle Ken, Brian & Carolyn, Shari, Sheila & Rob - So sorry for the loss of a wonderful wife, mother & grandmother. May the Lord comfort you. Wishing we could be there to help celebrate her life.
Gayle Wiersma
August 31, 2016
Kenneth and family
May your faith in God give you strength and sustain you in your loss.
George Groen
August 31, 2016
Dear Ken & family,
I got to know Chris quite well when I was principal at Phoenix Christian School. You and she are the 'salt of the earth' folks with persevering humulity. She was such a blessing to the PCS library. We have sent a memorial gift to PCS to recognize her many years of faithful service. She would be at school, even when she didn't have to be and provided a stabling influence for that little school. I thought Sue V.P.'s expression in the recent Wildcat Newsletter was 'right on' and obviously written from the heart. As we celebrate Chris's life, we send our condolences to you and your family. May God indeed bless you with the peace that passes all understanding. In His love ..... George & Betty
Kris Wiersma
August 31, 2016
Ken and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. May God comfort you with the knowledge that she is safe in His arms where there is no more pain, suffering or sorrow. God grant that one day we will join her and all the family members who have gone before. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Kris Wiersma, daughter of Donald and Berniece Wiersma
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5921 West Thomas Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85033
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