Esther Irene Schoneveld

Esther Irene (Kruizenga) Schoneveld entered into her eternal rest on August 21, 2014 at the age of 95. She will be greatly missed by her family and many friends. Esther was born to John and Winnie (Bonnema) Kruizenga on October 29, 1918 in Sioux Center, Iowa, the fifth of twelve children. Esther went through the sixth grade and then needed to go to work to help with the family finances. Esther cleaned houses and also went door to door selling hankies that her Mom would crochet around the edges. She started dating Evert (Ed) Schoneveld when she was 16 years old. Ed moved to California, and when he had saved some money, he sent for Esther. At 18, Esther took a train and joined Ed in California. They were wed on April 28, 1937 and had been married for 53 years when Ed passed away on June 12, 1990. Ed first worked in the shipyards in Long Beach, then later milked cows for John Hilarides and Esther cleaned house for Mrs. Hilarides. Ed and Esther were later able to start their own dairy in Gardena, Ca. In 1938 their first son, Anthony John, was born in Compton, Ca. They later sold the dairy and moved to a farm in Doon, Iowa and in 1942 their daughter, Wanda Mae, was born. They soon moved back to California and again went into the dairy business, first in Norwalk and then in Cypress. In 1952, their second daughter, Alice Kay, was born in Downey, Ca. In 1955 they built their new dairy in Corona, Ca., and in 1959 their second son, Ronald Jay was born in Arlington, Ca. In 1994 Esther moved to Inland Christian Home in Ontario, Ca. where she lived for nearly 20 years. She volunteered at the 3 way Thrift Store in Chino for years and enjoyed that very much. Esther quit driving at 93. In March of 2014 Esther moved in with her daughter and son-in-law, Wanda and Bill Dixon, in Tulare, Ca. Esther was precede in death by both of her parents, husband Ed (1990), son Ronald (1988), and 9 of her siblings and their spouses. They are; Dena Kosters (John), Alice Dalieslager (Arie), Dick Kruizenga (Janet), Peter Kruizengs (Wilma), Winfred Coulander (Henry), Ben Kruizenga, John Kruizenga, and Glenn Kruizenga (Sharon). Esther is survived by her son Anthony (Tony) Schoneveld (Alice Elaine), Apple Valley, Ca., daughters Wanda Dixon (Bill), Tulare, Ca., and Alice Kay Staal (James), Twin Falls, Id.,10 grandchildren; Karen Walinga (Bruce), Tracy Draayer, Katie Schoneveld, Sharon Browatzke (Rick), Carol Knevelbaard (James), Evert Dixon (Raquel), Eric Dixon (Afton), Nicole Garcia, Renee East (Cole), Andrea Childer (BJ), 38 great grandchildren, and 14 great-great grandchildren one sister, Mary Ann Wiarda, (Rock Rapids, Iowa), and one brother, Melvin Kruizenga (Mary) Hospers, Iowa, 2 sisters-in-law, Evelyn Kruizenga, (OK) and Judy Kruizenga (Hospers, Iowa). Thank you to Kaweah Delta Hospice for the care given to Esther the last three weeks. You were all so kind and helpful. The family can’t thank you enough. You were great! There will be a viewing on Thursday, August 28 from 5-7 pm at Salser and Dillard Funeral Chapel, Visalia, and then a graveside service on Saturday, August 30,at 11:00 with a viewing at 10:00am at Pierce Brothers Crestlawn Memorial Park & Mortuary , Riverside, Ca.

Esther Irene Schoneveld

November 29, 1918 - August 21, 2014