Thelene Ann Dotinga

THELENE ANN DOTINGA JAN. 5, 1948 - FEB. 24, 2007 Thelene Ann Dotinga was born in Artesia, California on January 5, 1948. She returned to the open arms of her precious Lord and Savior, surrounded by her family, on Saturday, February 24, 2007. She was 59. Thelene attended Valley Christian Schools in Bellflower, California until her family moved to Ontario, California in 1964. She was a graduate of Ontario Christian High School and Chaffey College in Upland, California, where she trained to be a registered nurse. She married Bill Dotinga on July 30, 1969. Together, they entered the dairy business, first in San Bernardino, then in Corona, California. They moved their business and family to Escalon in 1988. Thelene enjoyed reading, sewing, and quilting. She enjoyed working in the office at Van Groningen and Sons, lnc. She loved her husband, her children, and her grandchildren. She especially enjoyed having her grandchildren take turns spending the night on weekends. Many wonderful memories were made during those special times. But Thelene's passion was for her Lord. Since she gave her heart to Jesus when she was five, she had worked tirelessly, and often quietly, to further the Kingdom of God here on earth. She was a committed prayer warrior, waking up daily before dawn to lay the needs and concerns of people before her Savior. She led a weekly Bible Study for a group of women, and together they worked to understand God more and to love Him better, and to more effectively be the Lord's lights in a dark and sorrowful world. She enjoyed working in the church library and as worship coordinator at Zion URC. Thel's influence on people's lives, and her touch on all of our hearts, is inestimable and has been a tremendous source of comfort and joy to those she's left behind. She taught us, and is even now teaching us, that our only comfort in life and in death is our belonging to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thelene is survived by her dear husband Bill of Escalon, her precious children Bill Jr. of Escalon, Michael and wife Carrie of Oakdale, Lisa and husband Bryan Van Groningen of Manteca, and Michelle and husband Mark Selby of Chowchilla. Eight grandchildren also loved their "Grandma by the cows": Brandon, Derek, and Ryan Case Dotinga; Lyndsey and Braden Van Groningen; Ryan, Madison, and Travis Selby. She was also dearly loved and is survived by her parents, John and Henrietta Vander Schaaf of Ripon. She is survived and loved by her sisters Corrine Koolhaas, Sheri Heida, Bev Woltjer, and Joni Van Groningen, and her brother John Vander Schaaf. Their spouses and children were also very dear to her, as were her husband Bill's mother Bertha Dotinga of Lynden, Washington, his brother and sisters, their spouses, and their children. Public visitation will be held at Deegan Ripon Memorial Chapel in Ripon on Wednesday, February 28 from 2-5 pm. Burial will be held at Burwood Cemetery in Escalon on Thursday, March 1, at 10 am. A memorial service celebrating the life of Thelene will follow at 11 am at Zion United Reformed Church in Ripon. Remembrances can be made to Providence Christian College, PO Box 4326, Ontario CA 91761; Ripon Christian Schools, 435 N. Maple, Ripon CA 95366; Costa Rican missionary Rev. Bill Green, c/o Zion URC 1220 Canal Blvd, Ripon CA 95366.

www.modbee.com/obituaries