Johanna Aykens

Gezina Johanna “Jo” Aykens was born on October 22, 1919 near Varsseveld, Gelderland in The Netherlands to Ben and Johanna (Veldhorst) Keunen. When she was six years old, she immigrated to the United States with her family and settled in Sioux Center, Iowa. She attended schools in Sioux Center and Maurice, Iowa. In 1934, the family moved to a farm north of Steen, Minnesota. On September 14, 1939 she was united in marriage to Richard Peter Aykens at her parents’ home near Steen. Along with raising their family, Jo helped with Richard’s Standard Oil business. Richard preceded her in death on July 19, 1993. In December of 2014 she became a resident at the Tuff Memorial Home in Hills, Minnesota. Jo continued to reside there until her passing on Sunday, June 24, 2018 at the age of 98 years, eight months, and two days.

Jo was a member of the Reformed Church of Steen and was active in the women's ministry along with teaching Sunday School. She loved to crochet, especially snowflakes and angels. Jo was an avid reader and enjoyed keeping her diary.

She is survived by her children, Paul and his wife, Carole of Orange City, Iowa and Joyce of Worthington, Minnesota; three granddaughters, Andrea of Cedar Falls, Iowa, Susan Veltkamp of Orange City, Iowa, and Laurie Kurtz and her husband Vince of Orange City, Iowa; four great-granddaughters, Jadeyn Veltkamp, McKenzie Kurtz, Kylie Kurtz, and Katie Kurtz. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard; her parents; sisters, Minnie Bonnema, Bertha Bosch, and Mildred Keunen; and brothers-in-law, Nelson Bonnema and William Bosch.

Memorials are preferred to:

Center of Hope Foundation
225 E 11th St Ste. 101
Sioux Falls, SD, 57104

or

Words of Hope
700 Ball Ave NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503