Adriana Weeda

After a long and blessed life, Adriana Margarita Catherina Weeda passed away in her home on July 7, 2023, at 104 years of age. She was born to Teunis and Mina Berkman on December 26, 1918 in Rozenburg, The Netherlands. Her father was the principal of the school, so early on, she acquired an appreciation for education, requesting a gift of a new book, rather than a toy, for holidays and birthdays. This love of learning was evident throughout her life. The walls of her house were lined with shelves of books covering a broad range of topics, with some of her favorites being history, art and religion.

Sisters and best friends Adriana and Flora Berkman joined the Rozenburg community choir as young adults. It was here that Adriana met her future husband Daniel Weeda, and her sister Flora met her future husband Jaap Van Riel. The backdrop of these two couples' courtships was World War II and the German occupation of their homeland. The difficulties and the shortages caused by the war delayed their marriage plans, but eventually Adriana Berkman married Daniel Weeda on August 16, 1944 in a double wedding with her sister.

Two children were born to Adriana and Daniel in Holland: son Jacob and daughter Mieke. In 1948, they were presented with an opportunity to immigrate to the United States and work for Daniel's brother-in-law Klaas Van Vliet on his dairy in Southern California; they left their loved ones and their homeland behind to begin a new life in a new country. Days of hard work were ahead. Adriana loved to tell the stories of those early days. Many new Dutch immigrants were clustered together in the Bellflower Artesia area of California, and these people met regularly to attend English classes, followed by games of dominoes. Prioritizing faith and education, this new community, quickly established a church and a Christian school in the area.

They prospered in their new homeland. In 1956 they moved to Chino, California to begin their own dairy with their family, which now included two more daughters, Ellen and Flora; and son, Tony, on the way. Adriana resided in Chino until 2005. In those years, she enjoyed a rich community of friends, and attended many joyous celebrations, including the graduations and marriages of her children.

In 1977, at 58 years of age, Adriana entered a dark, sad period of her life when she lost her husband. She felt this loss strongly and grieved deeply. Years later, she herself admitted that she thought that the best years of her life were over.

But grief heals. Over time, a new and beautiful life emerged from her despair. She was a gracious, hospitable, and charming hostess. Visitors of all ages who came to visit quickly became treasured friends. The conversations were lively, the home cozy, and the welcome sincere. These regular visitors were an amazing blessing to her and, through them, she regained a zest for life.

The years were good to Adriana. She maintained her physical and mental health even into her 100s! She was blessed by the numerous people who regularly visited her in her home and by the tenderness and love of the caregivers who were with her in her final years. Thank you for listening to her many stories. Thank you for hugging her. Thank you for singing with her. Thank you for praying with her. Words cannot express the family’s deep gratitude for this amazing community which embraced her and enriched her life in immeasurable ways.

Adriana is survived by daughter Mieke (Ed) Boschma of Tonopah, Arizona; daughter Flora (Harry) Bokma of Buhl, Idaho; son Tony (Vickie) Weeda of Ontario, California; daughter-in-law Teresa Weeda of Conway, South Carolina, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Daniel Weeda, son Jacob Weeda and his wife Judy, daughter Ellen Hilt and her husband Cecil, grandson Joseph Bokma, and infant grandson Peter William Bokma.

The memorial service for Adriana Weeda will be held Monday, July 24, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Crosspoint Church, 6950 Edison Avenue, Chino, California, 91710. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Inland Christian Home, 1950 Mountain Avenue, Ontario, California, 91762; or to Ontario Christian School, 931 West Philadelphia, Ontario, California 91762.

The service will be live streamed at https://www.crosspointchino.org/weeda

and also at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqM5XrD8acY

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Draper-Mortuary.com for the Weeda family .