Mary Nadine Jongsma

Mary Nadine Jongsma, 92, passed away on Wednesday, November 16th, 2022 in Visalia, Ca. Nadine was born on December 4th, 1929 in Bellflower, California to Bill and Alice Vander Pol. Her younger brother Bill joined the family 4 years later. They were born and raised on the family dairy farm. Nadine always kept her eye on Bill, as he was known to get into a little bit of mischief. Her mom and dad continuously fought over who she was going to help with the family chores. Her dad loved for her to be outside helping on the farm while her mom enjoyed her help hosting many guests. No one was a stranger to the Vander Pol family and everyone was welcome for a meal. Nadine was tall and mature for her age, so everyone wanted her on their school sports teams as she was very athletic. The boys thought she was pretty cute too. In fact, when she was 11 years old at the bus stop, she was always getting asked out on dates by the high school boys, her dad quickly put a stop to that! Her family later moved to the "ranch" in Corona, Ca. Nadine loved living at the ranch and often talked about riding horses with her younger brother as they enjoyed exploring Prado basin together. She graduated from Corona High School in 1948. Nadine's father was custom raising heifers for other dairymen and one day a boy named, Harold Jongsma, drove in delivering a load of heifers. Of course, Nadine's parents invited him in for lunch and the rest was history. After dating Harold for some time, Harold received an opportunity to go into the dairy business from a bank that was foreclosing on a dairy in Norwalk, Ca. One condition was that he would have to start within 2 weeks. Harold called Nadine and they quickly married 3 months later. They made a great team and worked so hard they didn't take a honeymoon until five years later. In 1954 they built a new dairy in Artesia, Ca. Nadine and Harold were both very busy and active at Zion Reformed Church and the Artesia Christian School Association. As their kids were growing up, summer trips consisted of a road trip or a week at Lake Almanor. Nadine always loved hosting gatherings where her kids could have their friends over. The game room was always busy because they were the only ones with a pool table and pinball machine! In 1971, Harold and Nadine relocated the dairy to Corona, Ca and stayed there until she relocated to Visalia, Ca in 2007. For the past ten years she loved inviting the whole family to Huntington Beach and other fun places as she loved having her family together. Nadine was known for her hospitality! She always hosted visiting family and visiting pastors at her home. She was also famous for her great New Years Day parties where everyone gathered to watch football and enjoy her delicious ollie bollen. Everyone was always welcome! Nadine is survived by her three children Allen (Dari) Jongsma, Bill (Susan) Jongsma, and Arlene (Bob) Vander Eyk; 8 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. She is proceeded in death by her loving husband, Harold Jongsma, her parents Bill and Alice Vander Pol, and her younger brother Bill Vander Pol and many others whom she loved deeply. Nadine will be remembered for being a very loving and compassionate caretaker to many family members and others throughout the years. She loved the Lord with all of her heart and it was evident in her daily life. She continuously put others before herself. She had such an optimistic personality and with a smile on her face, she could always talk to anyone. She loved others well and will be greatly missed. Burial will be held December 6th at Crestlawn Memorial in Riverside, Ca. at 1:30 pm. Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, December 7th, at Tulare Community Church in Tulare, Ca at 11:00 am. Memorial contributions can be made to Tulare Community Church, 1820 N. Gem St., Tulare, CA 93274. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Mary Nadine Jongsma

December 4, 1929 - November 16, 2022