Kathleen Van Wingerden

Kathleen Van Wingerden (nee Vriezema), age 83, of Pompton Plains passed away peacefully on Tuesday November 19, 2019 while receiving the loving care of her family.

Kathleen was born in her home in North Haledon and was the oldest of three children to Richard and Hester Vriezema.  Shortly after graduating high school she married the love of her life Arie Van Wingerden on November 4, 1955.  Arie and Kathleen settled in Wayne and stayed there for about three years.  As their family started to grow they moved to Pompton Plains.  They called Pompton Plains their home for the next sixty-one years, raising their five sons.

Throughout the years Kathleen assisted her husband Arie in the family business, Van Wingerden and Sons Greenhouse.  However, Kathleen’s true calling in life was to be a mother and homemaker, and this is where she truly flourished.  Kathleen was totally devoted to her husband Arie and to her five sons.  Kathleen and her family were devout members for many years to the Ebenezer Netherlands Reformed Church in Franklin Lakes where she was also a member of the Lois Circle.  Kathleen was also extremely involved with the Netherlands Reformed Christian School in Pompton Plains where her children attended.  Kathleen and Arie cherished sixty-four years of loving and loyal marriage together.

Kathleen was a wonderful cook and was known as “The Famous Cookie Baker” in their area.  Kathleen loved traveling to visit her family in Washington and Idaho and sincerely enjoyed when her family would get together for holidays, particularly Thanksgiving.  It was abundantly clear that Kathleen’s true passion in life was for her family.  Nothing in the world meant more to Kathleen than spending time with, and providing for her family.  Kathleen was a wonderful woman who touched the lives of many people and will be missed by everyone that knew her.

Kathleen is survived by her husband Arie Van Wingerden of Pompton Plains, her five sons; John Van Wingerden and his wife Jane of Sunnyside, WA, Alan Van Wingerden and his wife Anita of Pompton Plains, Ron Van Wingerden and his wife Joyce of Priest River, ID, Paul Van Wingerden and his wife Stacey of Priest River, ID, and Glenn Van Wingerden and his wife Nicole of Priest River, ID, twenty one grandchildren; Michael, Matthew, Rachel, Heather, Kristen, Amanda, Arielle, Zachary, Alanna, Jack, Caitlyn, Andrew, Dylan, Lauryn, Arie, Brian, Edward, Katie, Kasondra, Logan, and Emma, fourteen great-grandchildren; Ayden, Tate, Londyn, Matilda, Teague, Piper, Vera, Grant, Gisele, Brielle, Levi, Julia, Cora, and Marie, one sister Ruth Oliviero of Norwich, NY.  She was predeceased by her brother Richard Vriezema.          

In lieu of flowers, donations in Kathleen’s name may be made to the Netherlands Reformed Christian School, 164 Jacksonville Rd, Pompton Plains, NJ 07444.