In Loving Memory of

Henrietta “Henri” Gertrude Tellinghuisen

 Henrietta Tellingihuisen was born to John and Dora (Riedstra) Van Dyke on June 25, 1929, at their home in Rapelje, Mont.  Henri attended school at Rapelje before moving to Fremont, Mich. where she graduated from high school. She then worked for Gerber Foods and Pinerest Christian Associate before moving to Sheldon, Iowa, with her parents and two younger siblings. Henri worked at the Sheldon Coop Oil where she was introduced to her husband, Leonard Tellinghuisen. On March 17, 1959, she married Leonard, the love of her life, and moved to a farm outside of Sheldon. In 1967, they moved to their current farm outside of Slayton, Minn. Henri held several positions during her nearly 25-year tenure at the Slayton Manor where her love to help residents was achieved through being a nurse assistant, kitchen duties and her favorite, Activities’ Director.  Henri will most be remembered for her hospitality of having people over to their house. Her special chocolate chip cookies and zucchini brownies will be remembered by her family, friends and especially her grandchildren. And, we all know a cup of coffee was available at any time of the day in her kitchen, with her cup being half coffee, ¼ half-n-half and ¼ sugar! Henri had a love for “fancywork” that kept her busy over the years. She enjoyed crocheting blankets, of which she made many for her grandchildren; sewing clothes for herself and her children when they were younger, and even until recently, would mend many tears, rips and hems whenever someone in her family needed a little touch up with her handy sewing machine. Henri loved being around her grandchildren and getting dirty and playing with them was always of importance any day over a clean house! Henri enjoyed camping and being a snowbird from 1998 – 2015 outside of Phoenix, Ariz., in their 5th wheel camper. Henri also enjoyed countless hours of playing cards with family and friends and talking on the phone with her beloved sister, Alwena.  She was a member of the First Reformed Church in Slayton for almost 50 years where she served on many committees, with one of her favorites being a youth group leader with Leonard.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Terry Tellinghuisen of Brandon, S. Dak.; Leon Tellinghuisen (Jonna) of Castle Rock, Colo.; Sharon Layman (Jim) of Phoenix, Ariz.; and Cindy Torrence (Shane) of Fulda, Minn. In addition, Henri’s grandchildren were a special enjoyment to her and will be missed by Evan & Ethan Tellinghuisen and their mother, Debbie Tellinghuisen; Shonna Allison (Nik), Lyndsi, Jori & Shayla Tellinghuisen; Stephanie & Katie Layman; Sean, Katerena & Tiffany Seres; and two great-grandchildren Aly & Nathan Allison; a brother Abe Van Dyke (Dean), Sheldon, Iowa; a sister, Alwena Dolieslager, Hull, Iowa; and, a sister-in-law Doreen Van Dyke, Hudsonville, Mich.  She was preceded in death by her husband and parents; brothers Thomas (infant), Tom and Al; and a sister, Jessie.

Memorial services for Henrietta (Henri) Gertrude Van Dyke Tellinghuisen, 87, of Slayton, Minn., will be held on October 31, 2016, 9:00 a.m. at the First Reformed Church in Slayton with Pastor Aaron Punt officiating. Visitation will be on Sunday, October 30, from 3:00-5:00 p.m. at the church. Visitation will also be one hour prior to the services at the church on Monday October, 31, 2016.  Henri passed away peacefully at the Hospice Gardiner Home, Phoenix, Ariz., from a broken heart of the recent passing of her husband.  Interment will be private at a later date.

Memorials are preferred to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E Flower St, Phoenix, AZ 85014.