Tanya Verhelst, 105, of Oostburg, passed away peacefully into the presence of her Lord on Friday, August 14, 2026 at Cedar Grove Senior Living.
Tanya was born January 25, 1921 in Odessa, Russia to Konstantin and Paraskowja (Mostowaja) Grintchuk. As a youth, she loved swimming in the Black Sea and was raised multilingual.
She met the love of her life Jacob J. Verhelst in Munich, Germany at the end of WWII. She traveled by boat and then train to the United States, and she and Jacob were married on July 6, 1946 in Oostburg. They celebrated 68 years together before his passing in 2015.
A longtime member of First Presbyterian Church where she sang in the choir, Tanya also belonged to 2 bridge clubs. She and Jacob loved traveling, and hosting gatherings and large dinner parties, with many delicious items cooked by Tanya. She also enjoyed listening to opera.
She is survived by her daughter, Natalie (Michael) Prinsen of Cedar Grove; son, James (Joan) Verhelst of Whitelaw; 5 grandchildren, Andrew (Sarah) Prinsen, John (Angela) Prinsen, Alicia (Charles) Stollberg, Brian (Lily) Verhelst and Kyle Verhelst; 7 great-grandchildren, Claire, Cameron, Isla, Wyatt, Nora, Elizabeth and Abby; other relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband Jacob, and other family. A funeral service to celebrate Tanya’s life will be held at 1:30PM on Friday, August 21, 2026 at First Presbyterian Church in Oostburg with Pastor Brett Daane officiating. She will be laid to rest at Hartman Cemetery beside Jacob. The family will receive visitors at the church on Friday from 12:00PM-1:30PM.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice.
The family would like to thank Cedar Grove Senior Living and Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice for their compassionate and loving care.
Wenig Funeral Home – Oostburg (920-564-2771) is assisting the family with arrangements. Please visit wenigfh.com for online condolences.
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