Tjaakje van Komen

Tjaakje (Wiegman) van Komen peacefully passed away, surrounded by loved ones, on January 11, 2021. She was a loving daughter of God whose vivacious soul and lively personality provided friends and family with a lifetime of cherished memories.

Tjaakje was born May 20, 1939 in Groningen, Netherlands to Jan and Henderika Wiegman, just before the start of WWII. She was a wonderfully gifted story teller, and her family loved listening to her recount the many stories and experiences from her childhood in Holland.

It was in Groningen where she joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and later met her eternal companion, Rudolf van Komen, through church activities. Their deep love for each other was undeniably strong, and on May 3, 1958 they were married. Shortly after being married, they immigrated to the United States with the van Komen family on September 28, 1958. It was a few months later in January of 1959 they were sealed together for time and all eternity in the Los Angeles Temple.

She and Rudolf started their family in the small mountain town of Etna, CA. Although California was their first home, Tjaakje and Rudolf enjoyed living in various locations such as Salt Lake City, UT; Ashland, OR; Bellevue, WA; and finally settled in Duvall where they’ve resided for the past 44 years. Together they traveled around the country visiting extended family throughout their lifetime. Though living a world away, Tjaakje always looked forward to trips back to the Netherlands to visit her mother and brother Siebrand, and to their visits to the United States. In Siebrand’s own words, “we always looked forward to traveling across the Atlantic to meet again and have fun. I will always remember her as a true sister.”

Tjaakje loved music and was exceptionally talented at playing the piano and organ, which were both self-taught. She was the organist in her congregation for many years and instilled that love for music in her grandkids and great-grandkids. Her best musical accomplishments were found in her voice as a yodeler, where she enjoyed yodeling for her family often and is well known for her “hoo-hoo!” calls to friends and family. She was known to speak in her native tongue when she wanted to gossip about those around her, one time forgetting everyone around her could understand when she was on a trip in Holland.

She will be remembered for her independent spirit, her loving countenance, and for always staying loyal to her family and those she loved. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren will remember all of the conversations and time spent with their beloved Omie. They loved all of her stories and appreciated how she would listen to them in return. Tjaakje and Rudolf never spent years as empty-nesters as their home was always open to their children and grand-children.

She is survived by her husband, Rudolf A. van Komen; brother Siebrand Wiegman; children Sonja E. Benthem, Mieke H. Mickels, Jan R. van Komen, and Kristina S. van Komen; 16 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.