Anita A Sillies

Anita Alwine Sillies was born an only child in Muenster, Germany on June 12, 1935 to Paula Wilhelmine C. Sillies and Heinrich M. Sillies. She survived World War II and was even given a prescription by a doctor for food, due to the famine caused by the war. Anita married Hendrikus “Hank” de Klerk, resided in Holland and then moved together to the U.S. for a better life. Together they have 4 children, Hans Peter de Klerk, Sylvia Anita Lakey, Anita Irene Vande Kieft and Erik Marco de Klerk; 6 grandchildren, Lois Anita Howe, David Lake Daubenschmidt, Allen Ray Heffley, Jr., Aaron Peter de Klerk, Ethan Michael de Klerk, and Emily Nicole de Klerk; and 8 great-grandchildren, Sara Shirley Howe, Megan Olivia Howe, Jacob Antonio Howe, Ashley Elizabeth Howe, Klover Leanne Heffley, Kylah Sky Heffley, Ryan J.T. Daubenschmidt and Mary Nayalee Daubenschmidt, all of whom are living. Anita had always wanted to be an Opera singer, and had the voice for it as she sang joyfully and robustly in our home, but did not want to take away from her family to pursue her career. Instead, she focused her creative time, energy and love on her family and gave them positive and creative support. She had no regrets about this and found pure joy in doing so. Anita lived with an open heart and an open mind towards others finding only the good in each person she met. Her creative nature allowed her to find art in all things. She enjoyed sweating and working hard and “made things happen”, never looking for a handout. She will be sorely missed by all, but her investment of unconditional love lives on in each family member and friends’ lives she has touched.