Donna Van Zwaluwenburg

Donna Kay Van Zwaluwenburg (birth name was Dina Kopinga) was born in Vries, Netherlands on January 11, 1946 to Johannes and Hendrika Kopinga. Her family immigrated to Minnesota, when she was 3 years old. They moved to Redlands, California where they lived on an orange grove. Donna attended Dordt College, in Sioux Center, Iowa, where she studied Education. After Dordt, she taught in Lebanon, Iowa and later moved to Arcadia, California where she taught at Arcadia Christian School for 40 years. She taught around 850 students during her career. She met Jack Van Zwaluwenburg at Arcadia Christian Reformed Church and they married on June 30, 1972. They had two children, Erika (Art De Jong II) and Erin.

Donna loved spending time with her family. She loved to travel. She was able to visit The Netherlands many times to see her family. She traveled all over the United States, but her favorite place was Maui. She was involved in many church activities, including Children’s Worship, Coffee Break, VBS, Decorations for church functions, and Fellowship committee.

She could single ski up until her 40s and later would sit back in the boat and watch her grandchildren. She loved daisies, giraffes, reading, and sitting by the pool or beach. She loved to clean and organize and passed those traits down to her daughters. She loved going to her grandchildren’s activities, whether it be listening to Arthur play saxophone in Jazz Band or watching Annika’s school programs and plays. She loved to teach Annika how to sew and put together legos with Arthur. Donna passed away on February 11, 2024 and is now in the arms of her loving Savior, Jesus Christ.

Donna was a loving wife, mother, Oma and friend.

A memorial service for Donna will be held Saturday, February 24, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Emmanuel Reform Church, 15941 Virginia Ave, Paramount, CA 90723.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her honor to Valley Christian Schools in Cerritos, California where her grandchildren, Arthur and Annika, attend.

https://www.vcschools.org/vanzwaluwenburg

Checks can also be mailed to the business office:

Valley Christian School

10818 Artesia Blvd.

Cerritos, 90703

*Include Donna Van Zwaluwenburg in the check memo