Tena Vanderzee-Raymer

Trijntje (pronounced Treentsee) Terpstra was born in Hallum, Friesland, The Netherlands on March 6, 1918, to Rurrd and Lijsbert (DeVries) Terpstra. Trijntje was one of seven children, grew up during the depression, loved school, ice skating and said her big brother was her best friend. As much as she loved school, at her fathers request was taken out of school at the age of 14 to help on the farm, as times were tough during the depression. This only made her will even stronger to survive and at the age of 18 got her own job working for a farmer during the week and coming home by bicycle on Sundays to visit her parents and give them most of her earnings. Even though times were hard she was always thankful for her “upbringing” in The Netherlands, “where children listened to their parents, did what they were told and respected their elders, never calling them by their first name but always Mr. or Mrs. Some of her childhood memories of growing up were getting hot chocolate on birthdays and a whole boiled egg on Easter, memorizing multiplication tables and scripture (no calculator or internet), traveling by horse and wagon, learning stitchery, knitting and crochet.

At the age of 22, she met a young man named Jelta (Yelta) Vanderzee at a dance in a nearby village, which started a courtship and they were married on May 10, 1941, one year to the date that The Netherlands had been invaded by Germany during World War II. Yes, they were survivors of the Holocaust and played their part in helping defend their birthplace and homeland, and history will tell you The Netherlands never surrendered to Germany. In 1942, their first son Sammy was born, in 1943, second son Ruddy was born. In 1945, Elizabeth was born and to the happiness and joy of many, Germany surrendered to the Allies. Tena would say later that, “It was the Good Lord who watched over us that saved the family.” Struggling to make ends meet, Yelta sparked an idea to move to the land of opportunity and education for their children, “America.” Despite family disappointment, in their moving so far away, the move was pursued and they were sponsored to come to America and that with only knowing how to say “please” and “thank you,” and only a very small amount of money to their name. They took the week plus trip on the New Amsterdam ship, landing on the East Coast of America and checked in at the Francis Hopkinson House. They went through customs there and then traveled by train to Portland, Oregon, where they were picked up and driven to the Salt Creek, Oregon area. They were proud to become citizens of the United States of America, and it was then that they changed their first names to Yelta and Tena (pronounced Teena).

They worked for a farmer in the Salt Creek area and later moved to Hemlock, Oregon where they were members of the Hemlock Nazarene Church. In America they had 2 more children, Alice in 1950 and David in 1954, both born in Tillamook. Prior to David’s birth the opportunity came for them to buy their own dairy farm in Tillamook where they farmed for many years. In Tillamook they were members of the Methodist Church, Farm Bureau, Tillamook County Creamery Association, Oddfellows & Rebekahs Lodge and South Prairie Grange. Tena was a member of the Methodist Church Women’s Society and was well known for her baked goods booth at the Christmas Bazaar making breads and cinnamon rolls and ontbijtkoek, was a member of Monday Musical, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and was featured guest speaker on the Mildred Davy show, KTIL radio station of Tillamook County. Tena was also a 4-H Knitting leader for 18 years. She loved to dance and sing, raise a garden, can fruits and vegetables and make jam, and many a grandchild was bounced on her knee to “Hop, hop, hinka,” song, with her singing in her native tongue of Fries. In the late 1970’s after semi-retirement the couple moved to Dallas, Oregon where they were active the Grange and First United Methodist Church, and enjoyed family get togethers and camping and fishing with family.

Following Yelta’s death in 1987, Tena moved to Newberg, Oregon where she continued to be active in the First United Methodist Church, The Quilters, Fernwood Grange, volunteered at Mabel Rush School, enjoyed baking, gardening, knitting and crochet. In 1992, Tena was introduced to Lawrence Raymer who had moved to Oregon from Wisconsin. With both of them widowed, they formed a friendship and were married November 14, 1992. Together they went to the First United Methodist Church, Fernwood Grange and Friendly Club. Their extended family was a blessing to both of them and they enjoyed family get togethers. Tena remained in her home in Newberg following Lawrence’s death in 2005.

In July of 2009, Tena moved to Avamere in Newberg where she continued to remain active as a member of the Bible Study and church service, was vice president of Resident Council, taught a knitting class and made booties to donate to newborn babies at Providence Newberg Hospital. She loved her new family at Avamere and was an inspiration to others, professing her faith, never complaining and always smiling.

Tena is preceded in death by husband of 46 ½ years, Yelta Vanderzee, 1 brother Marcus, 3 sisters, Griet, Aukje and Wietske, 2 sons, Sammy and Ruddy, and 2 granddaughters, Monica and Theresa, husband of nearly 13 years, Lawrence Raymer and his son Douglas.

Tena is survived by 2 sisters in Friesland, The Netherlands, Hinke and Willemke and multiple nieces and nephews.

Surviving Vanderzee family members of Tena include daughter, Elizabeth (Max) Hurliman, daughter Alice (Audie) Cooper, son David (Thea) Vanderzee, 17 grandchildren, 37 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren.

Raymer surviving family members of Tena include daughter Lorraine (William) Bjork, Myra Harvey, Dorsey Bjork, Colleen Prine, Julia Raymer, 14 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren.

Tena lived for her family, loved her children, grandchildren, great grand children and great great grandchildren, loved God and was very proud to be an American and always said, “Christianity starts in the home.” On May 19, 2012 she said, “As parents we tried to do the best we could,” and “I’m ready to go when the good Lord is ready for me, but I have so much to live for – my loving family.” May 29, 2012, “God wants us to obey.” July 5, 2012, (when she was recollecting devastation of The Netherlands during WWII), she said, “War is a terrible time. It kills people and does a lot of wrong, (damage). We will remember her saying, “Praise God,”, “Amen,” and “Love you whole bunches.”

Tena was much loved and will be much missed. Tena (Trijntje) passed away peacefully and gracefully with a smile on her face early Saturday morning, September 15, 2012, with her daughter Alice and granddaughter Angela at her side.

In remembrance of Tena, family suggests random acts of kindness (examples include, if you see someone without a smile give them one of yours, a hug, donation in her name to your favorite charity or local church, or volunteering in local schools or long term care facilities). Family also acknowledges the compassionate and loving care of friends she made at Newberg Avamere, Providence Hospice Team and staff of Dignity Memorial.