Alice Topp

Alice Topp lived 88 years. She was born on March 21, 1925, in Rock Valley, Iowa, as the 12th child in a family of 15. Her parents were Egbert and Nellie (Peteronella Van Voorst) Zomermaand. The name Zomermaand means “summer months” in the Dutch language. Her parents were Dutch immigrants. She attended school in an old schoolhouse with all 8 grades present in the same room. Her family lived on a small farm that was BIG on activity and love. After she graduated from the 8th grade, she helped the family survive by making money outside of the home in other homes or farms in the area. But she was always at church on Sunday and back home with the family on weekends. During WWII as a young woman of 18, Alice worked in a factory that helped make arms for the war. It was at the end of the war that Alice met Gerrit Topp, who was still in his uniform on their first “date” at a roller skating rink. They were married on August 28, 1946 in Sioux Center, Iowa. California called to the young, ambitious Gerrit, so they headed out West, only to return to the farm a few years later. I guess it’s hard to get the “farm” out of those “farm boys”. They found life on the farm to be challenging for the next 8 years and headed back to California with their small family to seek better employment opportunities. They settled in Artesia and began attending the newly formed Trinity Christian Reformed Church. They remained in Trinity for their lifetime. Their children, Vernon, Diane, Conrad, and Greg grew up in Trinity and all of them enjoyed the wonderful fellowship and great family times with this church family. Alice was a wonderful mother. She was a gentle spirit but she knew how to stand firm when it counted. Though it was a hardship, she insisted that her children go to a Christian School, and she and Gerrit made sure that the kids kept very involved in church activities. Gerrit and Alice served in Trinity in many ways; helping with Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and gardening around the church. They were even counselors for the Youth Group when their kids were that age. Together they enjoyed traveling in their motorhome. Gerrit loved getting out of his motorhome in a campground and walking around. He got to know the people camping around him and could talk "motorhomes" while Mom made dinner. Through their "camper", Glastron boat, and motorhome, they introduced their children to water ski trips that are still a tradition in the family to this day. So much of what they did centered around keeping their family or their extended family close. Alice was never idle. She loved gardening, and could stick anything in the ground and make it grow. She also took classes and taught herself to be an excellent seamstress. Her home and those of her children were full of things she created. She was known for her good cooking, and many friends and relatives found her home to be a warm, sunny retreat. Her kitchen was called “Alice’s restaurant”. She loved going to Bible studies and reading her Bible. When Pastor Rick Westra took a year to have the congregation read through the “Daily Walk Bible”, Alice caught on to reading through the Bible every year. She truly enjoyed this and read through the Bible every year after that. In it she found the strength to make it through each day. She missed Gerrit so much after he passed in April of 2003, but she knew God’s promises that they would see each other again. In July of 2011, Alice moved from her beloved home on Reva in Cerritos to the Artesia Christian Home. She enjoyed living in a beautiful apartment there for a year and a half til her health started to deteriorate. The Skilled Nursing Staff at the Home were wonderful caregivers since last November. She appreciated all that they did for her, and loved visiting all the people she would see every day. Alice passed into Glory on Sunday, November 17th, 2013. Oh, the reunions that must have taken place at that moment. She saw her Savior face to face and I’m sure He said, “Well, done, my precious, faithful daughter. Enter into the joy I have prepared for you!” And Gerrit – he must still be smiling as He takes her on the grand tour of the Heaven he has known for the past ten years. Alice will be missed, but her legacy lives on in the lives of her 4 children and their families; 10 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren. To God be the Glory!!!

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Alice Topp lived 88 years. She was born on March 21, 1925, in Rock Valley, Iowa, as the 12th child in a family of 15. Her parents were Egbert and Nellie (Van Voorst) Zomermaand. The name Zomermaand means “summer months” in the Dutch language. Her parents were Dutch immigrants. She attended school in an old schoolhouse with all 8 grades present in the same room. Her family lived on a small farm that was big on activity and love. After she graduated from the 8th grade, she helped the family survive by making money outside of the home in other homes or farms in the area. But she was always at church on Sunday and back home with the family on weekends. During WWII as a young woman of 18, Alice worked in a factory. It was at the end of the war that Alice met Gerrit Topp, who was still in his uniform on their first “date”. They were married on August 28, 1946 in Sioux Center, Iowa. California called to the young, ambitious Gerrit, so they headed out West, only to return to the farm a few years later. I guess it’s hard to get the “farm” out of those “farm boys”. They found life on the farm to be challenging for the next 8 years and headed back to California with their small family to seek better employment opportunities. They settled in Artesia and began attending the newly formed Trinity Christian Reformed Church. They have faithfully attended ever since. Their children, Vernon, Diane, Conrad, and Greg grew up in Trinity and all of them enjoyed the wonderful fellowship and great family times with this church family. Alice was a wonderful mother. She was a gentle spirit but she knew how to stand firm when it counted. Though it was a hardship, she insisted that her children go to a Christian School, and she and Dad made sure that the kids kept very involved in church activities. They served in many ways, helping with Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and gardening around the church. They were even counselors for the Youth Group when their kids were that age. Gerrit and Alice enjoyed traveling together in their motorhome. They introduced their children to water ski trips that are still a tradition in the family to this day. So much of what they did centered around keeping their family or their extended family close. Alice was never idle. She loved gardening, and could stick anything in the ground and make it grow. She also took classes and taught herself to be an excellent seamstress. Her home and those of her children were full of things she created. She was known for her good cooking, and many friends and relatives found her home to be a warm, sunny retreat. Her kitchen was called “Alice’s restaurant”. She loved going to Bible studies and reading her Bible. When Pastor Rick Westra took a year to have the congregation read through the “Daily Walk Bible”, Mom caught on to reading through the Bible every year. She truly enjoyed this and read through the Bible every year after that. In it she found the strength to make it through each day. She missed Gerrit so much after he passed in April of 2003, but she knew God’s promises that they would see each other again. In July of 2011, Alice moved from her beloved home on Reva in Cerritos to the Artesia Christian Home. She enjoyed living in a beautiful apartment there for a year and a half til her health started to deteriorate. The Skilled Nursing Staff at the Home were wonderful caregivers since last November. She appreciated all that they did for her, and loved visiting all the people she would see every day. Alice passed into Glory on Sunday, November 17th, 2013. Oh, the reunions that must have taken place at that moment. She saw her Savior face to face and I’m sure He said, “Well, done, my precious, faithful daughter. Enter into the joy I have prepared for you!” And Gerrit – he must still be smiling as He takes her on the grand tour of the Heaven he has known for the past ten years. Alice will be missed, but her legacy lives on in the lives of her 4 children and their families; 10 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren. May God be praised!!