Rachel Fynaardt

Rachel Fynaardt, 94, of Oskaloosa, passed away on Thursday, April 27, 2023, at her home in Oskaloosa. Rachel Vander Molen was born on March 10, 1929, near Taintor, Iowa. She was the 5th of eight children born to Katie (Nieuwsma) and Lewis Vander Molen. Rachel grew up in rural Peoria, Iowa, attending Peoria Christian Grade School through the 8th grade. Her grade school days were also when she became known as “Rachel Lou.” She always reminded us that her way of transportation to school was on a pony named Midge. She attended Pella Christian High for a couple of years while working as a housekeeper/nanny for several ladies. She later took employment at the Overall Factory in Pella, which would come in handy for all the blues jeans she would patch over the years. She was united in marriage to Lester Fynaardt on October 18, 1951, at her mom’s home in Pella. After a honeymoon to Niagara Falls, they settled on a farm southeast of Oskaloosa, and Rachel (Rae) took on the role of a farm wife and a patient mother to three boys. Rachel kept busy with her chickens, gardening, canning, painting outside barns, lawn care, and her hospitality of always having meals prepared (by the table or in the field) and coffee time ready for every neighbor or salesman that pulled on the yard. Additional jobs included a few house cleaning clients and 20 years of early Saturday morning office cleaning at Intraco (Cablevey). She was a member of the Harrison Homemakers monthly get-together with the neighborhood ladies. In 1994, Lester and Rachel purchased a house in Oskaloosa and dwelled there for 19 years. During those years, Rachel volunteered at the Hospital Snack Bar and kept active in town by grooming their large lawn and hosting many celebrations or house guests. Her door was always open! Rachel was always up for a good shopping trip, including several visits to Branson, MO, with her sisters that she cherished. In 2013, it was time to downsize, and they moved to their condo, FynView, where Rachel lived out her days of 94 years, one month, and 17 days on this earth. Rachel was a faithful First Christian Reformed Church member, active in many societies, including Young Peoples leader, Sunday School teacher, and choir member. She also loved playing many hymns on the piano for her enjoyment. She is survived by her loving husband, Les, of 71 years, three sons, two daughters-in-law, six granddaughters (who she loved to spoil), and 16 great-grandchildren: her son, Harold Fynaardt of Oskaloosa, IA, her son, Daniel & Karen (DeJong) Fynaardt of Oskaloosa, IA, and their children: Michelle & Matthew Van Maanen of Pella, IA (Makenzie, Aidan, Kyler), Sara & Shawn Van Wyk of Grinnell, IA (Brandon (& Lauren), Payton, Blake), and Katie & Josh Branderhorst of Pella, IA (Gage, Riker, Eli); her son, Roger & Cyndi (Vos) Fynaardt of Oskaloosa, IA, and their children: Trisha & Andrew Schreier of Sioux Center, IA (Makinley, Kendra, Kyle), Deann & Layton De Groot of Oskaloosa, IA (Raegan, Jayde, Logan), and Jenna & Ryan Morrison of Burnside, IL (Kennedy). Rachel leaves behind a sister and her husband, Pauline and Donald De Cook of Indianola, and two sisters-in-law, Mary Ann Vander Molen and Henrietta Vander Hart of Pella. From Les’ family, she leaves behind Joann Kelderman, Paul and Dorothy Groenenboom, Jim and Marilyn Brummel, Pete Fynaardt, and Paul Fynaardt, all from the Oskaloosa area. She was preceded in death by her parents and her parents-in-law, Delia and Pete Fynaardt, and the following siblings and in-laws: Anna and Marion Hol, Bernard and Alida Vander Molen, Greda and Paul Vander Hart, Hilda and Edward Groenendyk, Lawrence Vander Molen, Ed and Cathryn Van Ee, Joann Fynaardt, Barb Fynaardt, and Tunie Kelderman. Funeral Services for Rachel will be held on Monday, May 1, 2023, at 2 p.m. at the First Christian Reformed Church, with Rev. John Spronk officiating. A 1:45 p.m. family prayer service will be held in the church’s fellowship hall. Burial will be in Forest Cemetery. Visitation will begin at one o’clock Sunday at the church; the family will greet visitors from 2-4 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Mahaska Health Foundation for the Hospice Serenity House or Oskaloosa Christian School. Langkamp Funeral Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements. Watch Rachel's service live or at your convenience at https://www.facebook.com/OskyFirstCRC

Rachel Fynaardt

March 10, 1929 - April 27, 2023