Petronella Sjouwke Pieters

A Celebration of Life for Petronella Sjouwke Pieters will be held on Sunday, June 28, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Gold Dust West in the banquet room. All who loved her are welcome to gather, share memories, and honor a truly remarkable woman.

Petronella Sjouwke Pieters, known lovingly as Ellen or Pietje, passed away peacefully of natural causes on May 4, 2026, at the age of 93, in Carson City, Nevada. A woman of remarkable resilience, boundless generosity, and unwavering warmth, she leaves behind a legacy that will be cherished by all who knew her.

Petronella was born on June 19, 1932, in Soekaboemi, Indonesia, then known as The Netherlands Indies. Her early years were marked by extraordinary hardship and courage. She survived imprisonment in a Japanese internment camp during World War II and endured the Indonesian government's takeover of The Netherlands Indies. These experiences forged in her a strength and determination that would define the rest of her life. She eventually migrated to The Netherlands before making the journey to the United States of America in pursuit of a better life, proudly becoming a United States citizen.

Petronella was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Leopold Pieters. She is survived by her five children and their spouses: Irene and Warren Wear, Constant "Alex" and Nancy Pieters, Jenny and Bert Heyman, Olaf and Lupe Pieters, and Agatha "Agie" and Marc Gentile. She also leaves behind nine grandchildren, one of whom preceded her in death, sixteen great grandchildren with one more on the way, and a multitude of nieces, nephews, and extended family members who will miss her dearly. Petronella was the last of her generation. The last of her siblings and she outlived all of her husband's family as well.

Those who knew Petronella knew her through her extraordinary love of feeding others. She was famous for her cooking and baking, always preparing enough food to feed an army. Her beautifully decorated cakes, crafted with intricate designs for every occasion, were legendary. Her talents extended far beyond the kitchen. She was a gifted seamstress, an accomplished crocheter, and a skilled upholsterer of furniture. She had a deep love of animals and a passion for gardening that brought beauty to every home she kept. She never hesitated to watch the children, whether they were family or not, giving freely of her time and her heart. Petronella was a woman who loved life and the people in it. She cherished years of family camping trips, and in her later years, she found deep contentment simply sitting outdoors, watching the birds and wildlife while breathing in the fresh air. She loved visiting friends, going house to house to share conversation and companionship. When she moved to long-term care, she continued this tradition, befriending employees and residents throughout the facility. She played bingo, participated in arts and crafts, enjoyed holiday events, ice cream socials, live and streamed music, field trips, and getting her nails painted. She also loved the slot machines at many local casinos, where employees came to know her so well that they will miss her too. She attended Sunday services at Shine Church in Carson City, Nevada, and enjoyed lunch afterwards at local restaurants where the staff called her Mom and knew her order by heart, a testament to the love and attention she both gave and inspired.

Petronella was, in every sense, Mom, Oma, Opoe, and Tante to so many. She was tough as nails, generous beyond measure, and so greatly loved by all who were fortunate enough to know her. May she rest in the promise she held dear: "The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord," Romans 6:23.

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The Life of Petronella Sjouwke Pieters

Transcribed by her youngest daughter, Agatha Petronella Gentile

My name is Petronella Sjouwke Pieters. I was born on June 19, 1932 in Soekaboemi, The Netherlands Indies (now Indonesia). My Mother was Tjio Soei Nio, who was born on April 3, 1895 in Soekaboemi, The Netherlands Indies. My Father was Klaas Sjouwke, who was born on September 9, 1898 in Den Brile, The Netherlands. We had a total of 8 children in my family. There were 4 girls and 4 boys. From oldest to youngest: Lien Sjouwke De Koning (Sister), Henk Sjouwke (Brother), Jan Sjouwke (Brother), Arie Sjouwke Morgan (Brother), Hendricka “Riek” Sjouwke Bergsma (Sister), Petronella Sjouwke Pieters (Myself), Jimmie Sjouwke (Brother), and Johana “Joke” Sjouwke Rovers (Sister). My Mother, Father, Lien, Henk, and Jimmie have all passed away.

I lived in Soekaboemi, The Netherlands Indies until I was 2 years old (1934). I then moved to a tea and rubber plantation called “Tani” and lived there until 1937. I moved to Buitenzorg which is now Bogor with my cousin Nomie Domen because there was no school in the plantation. I went home to the plantation on vacation. My cousin was really mean. She would steal what little money my parents gave to me after visiting the plantation with them. She would also let her adopted daughter wear all my clothes. I would have to search for something to wear every morning before school. I stayed with her until 1940. I then moved to live with my oldest sister and her husband, Lien and Frans De Koning. They had 7 kids, 6 boys and 1 girl.

Then the war came. It was 1941 and the Japanese attacked. We all went to the plantation. While we were there, my brother-in-law, Frans De Koning and a nephew were taken by Japanese soldiers. They were put into a camp. We then ran away again back to Buitenzorg. We rented a house there in a small alley so that the Japanese soldiers wouldn’t find my brothers. It didn’t take long to find them anyway. My 2 brothers, Henk and Jan were put into a camp in Glodok. My brother Arie was not home at that time.

My Mom, “Opoe” and my sister Lien would make food that I would sell door to door. I would walk 3 miles up and 3 miles back everyday. I started out at 6 o’clock every morning until we were put in a camp. My sister, her kids, and my brother Arie went to the camp in Bandong. By now, Indonesia had won their independence from The Netherlands. Just as Hitler and the Germans were killing Jews, the Indonesians were killing the Dutch. Indonesian soldiers searched our home for my brother Arie and for Lien’s sons who were hiding in the attic ceiling.

They were found so we were all put into a camp. They cooked food in big drums, only rice and vegetables. We had to get water from far away down many steps. The camp we were at was in Kedoeng Halang. Then they moved us to Sempoer where we remained until we were freed. English soldiers saved my brother Jan’s camp just before they were to be killed by the Indonesians.

We lived outside of Buitzenzorg (Bogor). I went back to school after not being in school from 1941 to 1945. I had to walk 8 miles to school and home. School was from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. We had 2 classes in 1 year. I only went to school up until the 8th grade. When I was 16 years old, I went to Bandong to live with my sister. I did the housework until I was 18 years old. I then went to work for the deaf and the mute until I was 22 years old. At that time, I moved to The Netherlands to live with Opoe and my younger sister, Joke.

My neighbor gave me Leopold Pieters’ address. We became penpals until he returned to The Netherlands. He was in Korea at the time. We met and 6 months later we were engaged on my birthday on June 19, 1955. We pre-married on his birthday on November 7, 1955. We got married 1 month later on December 7, 1955. We lived with Opoe and Joke. We got a house in Hertogenboch after Alex was born. We have 5 children, 3 girls and 2 boys. Irene Patricia was born in Tilburg, The Netherlands on October 25, 1956 by a midwife at home. Constant Alexander “Alex” was born in Tilburg, The Netherlands on May 4, 1958 by a midwife at home. Jenny Yolanda was born in Hertogenboch, The Netherlands on November 8, 1960 by a midwife at home.

We immigrated to the United States in 1961. 7 years later we had our 2nd son, who is our 4th child. Olaf Bruce was born in El Monte, California on December 15, 1968. Our 5th child, a 3rd daughter, Agatha Petronella was born in El Monte, California on January 19, 1972. We lived in Baldwin Park, California until 1988. We then moved to Colton, California. We moved to Gardnerville, Nevada in 1990 where we now reside.

Much has happened after Mom and I wrote this together. My Dad, Leopold Pieters passed away on November 13, 2009. Mom lived in their home on her own for another 7 years until it became too much house and property for her to handle. She then sold it in 2016 and moved in with Bert and Jenny Heyman in Carson City. In 2023, Mom landed herself in the hospital with a gastrointestinal bleed that was treated with an endoscopy procedure. In 2024, Mom once again went into the hospital with severe low blood sugar that was not easily resolved. Mom was transferred to Ormsby Post Acute Rehab after a week at Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center. For Mom’s safety, medical needs, and quality of life, it was determined that it was time for Mom to remain at Ormsby on the assisted living side of the facility.

Mom thrived at Ormsby (now Silver Oak). She walked all over the facility visiting with residents and employees. She was very well liked and even loved at Silver Oak. Mom attended ice cream socials, played bingo, listened to music that was live or played on a big screen TV, went on field trips, got manicures on Sunday, participated in arts and crafts, and joined in all holiday events. Mom was a socialite and knew what was happening all over the facility, wore the best clothes, and had the fanciest walker. Mom enjoyed trips out of the facility with family for holidays, to go to the casino, out for lunch, and to church every Sunday. You can see Mom in multiple pictures on the facility’s social pages. She is smiling and having a blast.

Mom had a multitude of hobbies and loves. She loved her family and she would do everything she could for you and want to help everyone and anyone she could. Mom loved to cook. Everyone has a story to tell about her cooking, her food, and she wanted to share with anyone and all how to make her favorites. Mom used to cook all kinds of food, baked all kinds of goodies, made fancy cakes, upholstered furniture, gardened, and crocheted. She used to sew a lot, made clothes, made curtains, and tailored clothes. She babysat kids, family and non-family. She used to volunteer at school, for band, and for sports. We used to go camping and fishing. She loved the slots at the casino. Mom was known and loved around town at church, at the casinos, at multiple restaurants, and with a multitude of our friends that have interacted with her and knew her.

Petronella Sjouwke Pieters was the last Sjouwke alive. She outlived all of her siblings. She was the last of her generation, the last child in her family and our Father’s family as well. Our Father’s family lost the last of his siblings, Oom Arnold in 2023. She was a Marvel, she was strong, and she will be sorely missed by many.