Cornelia Schouwenburg, 80, Hills, died Monday, Dec. 8, 2003, at her home in Hills.Services were Thursday, Dec. 11, at Bethel Reformed Church in Lester, Iowa. The Rev. Donald Baker officiated. Burial was in Hillside Cemetery, Lester. Cornelia VandenBrink was born to Ceel and Tillie (Stip) VandenBrink on May 15, 1923, in rural Alvord, Iowa. She was raised in the Inwood, Iowa, and Lester area and attended country schools. At a young age she assisted her mother and siblings with the responsibilities of the family farm after the death of her father. She married Marinus Schouwenburg on April 28, 1949, on the family farm near Alvord. The couple moved to Hills where Mr. Schouwenburg was part owner/operator of Hills Implement. She was a homemaker. Mr. Schouwenburg died on Aug. 2, 1985. She continued living in Hills where she worked part time at Tuff Memorial Home in Hills, in the activity department.Mrs. Schouwenburg was a member of Bethel Reformed Church in Lester, a member of Ladies Guild, and was involved with an extension club in Hills. She enjoyed taking bus tours when her health allowed her, crafts, crocheting and gardening.Survivors include one son, Ron (Bev) Schouwenburg, Hills; two daughters, Diane (Marlin) Rabenberg, Hartley, Iowa, and Waunda Gesink, Sioux Center, Iowa; six grandchildren, Mark (Kelli) Schouwenburg, Watertown, S.D., Steve Schouwenburg, Hills, Jeremy Rabenberg, Hartley, Iowa, Michelle (Gabe) Mayer, St. Ansgar, Iowa, Nick Gesink, and Kelly Gesink, both of Sioux Center, Iowa; one great-grandchild, Olivia Mayer, St. Ansgar; and three brothers, Ceel VandenBrink, Alvord, Hank VandenBrink, Rock Rapids, Iowa, and Gerrit VandenBrink, Inwood. Mrs. Schouwenburg was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Marinus, and one sister, Gertie Martens. Roste Funeral Home, Hills, was in charge of arrangements.
