Judi Braaksma

After a brief battle with brain cancer, Judi Braaksma, 68, of Oskaloosa passed away Monday, June 19, 2017, at the MHP Hospice Serenity House, surrounded by her family. Judith Ilene Hardeman Braaksma, the oldest of six children, was born December 21, 1948, in Oskaloosa to Dick and Josephine (De Groot) Hardeman and was raised on the family farm northeast of Oskaloosa. She began her schooling in a one-room school close to her home and later transferred to the Rose Hill Public School District. She graduated from Oskaloosa High School in 1967 and then attended William Penn College where she received a BA in secondary education. She began her teaching career at the Knoxville Junior High School and then transferred to the Knoxville High School. She retired in 2005 after more than 30 years of teaching. She loved her students and was proud that many went on to become lawyers, doctors, nurses, and other professions. To this day she still refers to them as “my babies.” In 1970, she was united in marriage to Dean Braaksma, and to that union two daughters were born. Judi enjoyed watching her grandsons play basketball, baseball and their many other activities. She also enjoyed reading, quilting and having coffee at Smokey Row on Tuesday morning with a group of friends. Judi loved people and enjoyed meeting and visiting with them. She was a life-long member of Central Reformed Church where she served in a variety of roles: Sunday school teacher, GEMS and RCYF counselor, Bible School teacher and kitchen helper for Bible School. She was a member of the church’s centennial committee, organized Meals from the Heartland packing events for the church members, was a member of the Congregational Life Committee, and served as editor of the church newsletter for several years. Her family includes her husband of almost 47 years, Dean; her daughters: Angelisa (Chris) Fynaardt and Jennifer Norgaila, both of Oskaloosa. Dean and Judi were blessed with three grandsons: Drew and Luke Fynaardt and Finley Norgaila. Her extended family includes her siblings: Mary Ostrem of Oskaloosa, Carole (Jim) Harvey of Oskaloosa, Rick (Traci) Hardeman of Park View, Iowa, Kathy (Lowell) Engelhoven of Oskaloosa, and Kris (John) Korte of Westerly, Rhode Island. In addition to her parents, Judi was preceded in death by her maternal and paternal grandparents and several cousins, aunts and uncles. Funeral services for Judi will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday morning, June 24, at the Central Reformed Church with Pastor Andy Baker officiating. A family prayer service will precede the service at 10:15 a.m. in the east lounge of the church. Burial will be held privately at a later time. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m., Friday morning at Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel; the family will greet visitors from 5-7 p.m. Friday evening. Memorials may be made to MHP Hospice Serenity House or to the Baker Family Nicaraguan Mission Journey c/o RCE International #34914.

Judi Braaksma

June 19, 2017 - June 19, 2017