Our Lord and Savior called Cornelia (Corrie) home on November 20, 2022 surrounded by her loving family after a courageous battle with cancer.
Born to Pieternella and Johannes Willemse on January 15, 1936, in Gilze en Rijen in the southern Netherlands, Cornelia and her twin sister Ria were the youngest of seven children. During WWII, Cornelia and her siblings spent a good share of their childhood in boarding schools run by very caring Catholic nuns, where they were provided food, clothing, and protection from the invading German army. After the war, Cornelia’s family was reunited. She resumed her education, graduated from high school, and went on to specialize in home economics, business, and fashion design.
Cornelia met Cornelis (Neil) at a carnival dance in April 1956. They fell in love and married on July 15, 1959. Together they immigrated to the U.S. and made their home in Illinois. Neil worked for a farmer and Cornelia worked at a factory as a seamstress until the birth of their daughter, Pauline.
Seeking a farm of their own, they settled near Pisek, ND where their son, Nicolaas (Nico) and daughter, Yvonne were born. They bought a farmstead near Park River and were graced with daughters Theresa, Christina, Maria, and Corrie. Eventually they built a new farmstead near Forest River, where they currently live.
As a wife and mother, she poured her heart and soul into her family, while helping Neil farm to provide for their needs. Their home overflowed with togetherness, love, and prayer. Prayer was a central part of daily life-- morning, noon and night, including the Angelus and The Rosary; she had a deep devotion to our Blessed Mother. In trying times she turned to the St. Therese Novena.
Music brought her so much joy; it was near and dear to her heart. A born alto with a lyrical voice, she sang in the church choir throughout her life. She would say, “Singing is praying twice!” And OH did she love to dance! She and Neil were a familiar sight on the dance floor. And what a pair—so in synch with each other! Their favorite was the polka.
A skilled seamstress, she blessed family and friends with many beautifully tailored outfits. She spent countless hours doing needlework—knitting, crocheting, and embroidering beautifully crafted pieces, gifting loved ones with priceless treasures. She lovingly made her family’s wedding dresses, baptismal gowns, dresses, sweaters, scarves, mittens, baby blankets and quilts. She loved baking, gardening, and canning, but most of all, sharing the fruits of her labor. The neighborhood kids enjoyed coming over for fresh baked bread and cinnamon rolls. She treasured these memories.
Cornelia is preceded in death by her parents and siblings, and her son, Nicolaas (Nico) Jonk. She is survived by her husband, Cornelis, and her six daughters, Pauline and Paul Savageau of Fargo, ND; Yvonne Jonk of Gorham, ME; Theresa and Dan Podoll of Lamoure, ND; Christina and Mikael Jonk of Molnlycke, Sweden; Maria and Adam Carter of Inkster, ND; Cornelia and Tom Enander of Grenora, ND; 21 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, December 3, 2022 at 10:30 AM at the St. John’s Catholic Church of Pisek, ND. Visitation will be Friday from 5-7 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at the church in Pisek. Friends may also call at the church on Saturday for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery, Park River, ND in the spring. In lieu of gifts the family asks that you consider making a donation to the St. Gianna’s Maternity Home.
The service will be live streamed on the Tollefson Funeral Home, Inc. Facebook page. An online guest book is available at: www.tollefsonfuneralhome.com
Born to Pieternella and Johannes Willemse on January 15, 1936, in Gilze en Rijen in the southern Netherlands, Cornelia and her twin sister Ria were the youngest of seven children. During WWII, Cornelia and her siblings spent a good share of their childhood in boarding schools run by very caring Catholic nuns, where they were provided food, clothing, and protection from the invading German army. After the war, Cornelia’s family was reunited. She resumed her education, graduated from high school, and went on to specialize in home economics, business, and fashion design.
Cornelia met Cornelis (Neil) at a carnival dance in April 1956. They fell in love and married on July 15, 1959. Together they immigrated to the U.S. and made their home in Illinois. Neil worked for a farmer and Cornelia worked at a factory as a seamstress until the birth of their daughter, Pauline.
Seeking a farm of their own, they settled near Pisek, ND where their son, Nicolaas (Nico) and daughter, Yvonne were born. They bought a farmstead near Park River and were graced with daughters Theresa, Christina, Maria, and Corrie. Eventually they built a new farmstead near Forest River, where they currently live.
As a wife and mother, she poured her heart and soul into her family, while helping Neil farm to provide for their needs. Their home overflowed with togetherness, love, and prayer. Prayer was a central part of daily life-- morning, noon and night, including the Angelus and The Rosary; she had a deep devotion to our Blessed Mother. In trying times she turned to the St. Therese Novena.
Music brought her so much joy; it was near and dear to her heart. A born alto with a lyrical voice, she sang in the church choir throughout her life. She would say, “Singing is praying twice!” And OH did she love to dance! She and Neil were a familiar sight on the dance floor. And what a pair—so in synch with each other! Their favorite was the polka.
A skilled seamstress, she blessed family and friends with many beautifully tailored outfits. She spent countless hours doing needlework—knitting, crocheting, and embroidering beautifully crafted pieces, gifting loved ones with priceless treasures. She lovingly made her family’s wedding dresses, baptismal gowns, dresses, sweaters, scarves, mittens, baby blankets and quilts. She loved baking, gardening, and canning, but most of all, sharing the fruits of her labor. The neighborhood kids enjoyed coming over for fresh baked bread and cinnamon rolls. She treasured these memories.
Cornelia is preceded in death by her parents and siblings, and her son, Nicolaas (Nico) Jonk. She is survived by her husband, Cornelis, and her six daughters, Pauline and Paul Savageau of Fargo, ND; Yvonne Jonk of Gorham, ME; Theresa and Dan Podoll of Lamoure, ND; Christina and Mikael Jonk of Molnlycke, Sweden; Maria and Adam Carter of Inkster, ND; Cornelia and Tom Enander of Grenora, ND; 21 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, December 3, 2022 at 10:30 AM at the St. John’s Catholic Church of Pisek, ND. Visitation will be Friday from 5-7 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at the church in Pisek. Friends may also call at the church on Saturday for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery, Park River, ND in the spring. In lieu of gifts the family asks that you consider making a donation to the St. Gianna’s Maternity Home.
The service will be live streamed on the Tollefson Funeral Home, Inc. Facebook page. An online guest book is available at: www.tollefsonfuneralhome.com