Corinne Dekker Smies was born July 22, 1922, in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. She lived 99 years until she went to be with her Lord and Savior on September 19, 2021. In her early years, she attended Sheboygan Christian Grade School and became a Central High School graduate in 1940. Because Corinne excelled in typing and stenography, she became a secretary and bookkeeper for two Sheboygan shipping companies until her retirement.
During WWII, Corinne accompanied her sister and brother-in-law to Fort Ord Army Base in California, where she used her secretarial skills to work for an Army Colonel. There she met her husband, Donald, while he was waiting to ship out to Guam. Since Donald was from nearby Oostburg, Wisconsin, they reconnected after the war and married in 1947. They moved to Oostburg, lived by Lake Michigan, and became life-long members of Bethel Orthodox Presbyterian Church. Corinne served her Lord in many areas of church life by teaching Sunday school & catechism classes, being involved in many different societies and in the Crossroads Ministry. Most of all, she ministered to her family, friends, and church through diligent intercessory prayer.
Corinne moved to Denver, Colorado as a young 93-year-old to be near her oldest daughter and family. She loved living at Clermont Park Christian Living Community where she enjoyed many social activities, Bible studies, knitting for people in need and following her favorite sports teams. She also liked to “hit the gym” every day for a 20-min spin on the stationary bike.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Donald, and her parents, Martin, and Katie (DenBoer) Dekker, sisters, Tannie (Chester) De Blaey and Ethel (Norman) Feringa, brother, John (Wilma) Dekker, sister-in-law Ruth Dekker and her granddaughter, Rachel Bode Tucker.
Survivors include her daughter, Patricia and her husband, Peter Holwerda; daughter, Peggy, and her husband, Jim Bode; and her brother, Marvin Dekker. Her life is celebrated, and her death is grieved by 5 grandchildren and spouses and 17 great grandchildren. She loved her family deeply and enjoyed family gatherings immensely.
There will be a Celebration of Life service at Clermont Park in Denver on Saturday, September 25 at 2:00 PM.
A Memorial Service will also be held at Wenig Funeral Home in Oostburg, WI on Saturday, October 9 at 10:00 am.
Memorial contributions in Corinne’s memory may be made to Oostburg Christian School or Bethel Orthodox Presbyterian Church.
For additional information and online condolences please visit www.wenigfh.com.
Wenig Funeral Home in Oostburg (920-564-2771) is assisting the Smies family.
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