Cyntha Lee Van Ringelestein

February 27, 1937 - September 9, 2020

Cyntha Lee Van Ringelestein was born February 27, 1937, in Denver, Colorado, to Albert J. Brandsma and Joan A. VanGenderen. Her name at the time of her birth was Arlene Joyce Brandsma, which was changed when she was adopted by her stepfather John F. Breitzke. She grew up in Denver, Colorado. She was married to John E. Van Ringelestein on September 7, 1956 and moved to Iowa to become a farm wife. They have three children Steven (Lori) Van Ringelestein of Ottumwa, Craig (Sharon) Van Ringelestein of Fremont, and Lisa (Iden) Dunsmoor of Chariton; they have seven grandchildren, Stacia West, Jennifer (Joey) Fletcher, Chad (Courtney) Van Ringelestein, Sylvia (Tyler) Brown, Katrina Van Ringelestein, Amber (Matt) Creason, and Larissa Smith. They have eight great grandchildren, Jade and Noah West, Kinley Fincher, Mira, Spencer, and Vincent Brown, MaKenzie and Mason Fletcher. Lee was a long-time member of Cedar Christian Reformed Church. She was the Director of Vacation Bible School for many years. She held offices in Women’s Fellowship Hour. She arranged sanctuary flowers and taught Sunday School. She served one term as a School Board Member of the Fremont Community school and was instrumental in having Musco Lights on the ball field. She served as the Richland Township Clerk overseeing Westview Cemetery in Kirkville for many years. She was a director of Bible Club at the Kirkville Town Hall for 13 years. She was a member of Modern Mothers Club, Card Club, North Richland Homemakers, and Wapello County Porkettes. She was co-leader for Frisky Fremonters 4-H Club for 10 years. She was also a very active member of Fremont Community Theatre as both set designer and an actress. She is survived by her husband of over 64 years, John. John made beautiful oak furniture and she finished it. She also did interior painting and wallpapering. She loved outdoor flowers, word find puzzles, several daily television programs, and Facebook. Her granddaughter Amber Creason helped her greatly after she had a lawn mower accident and fractured her femur bone in her leg and had difficulty walking without assistance. She enjoyed farm life and will be waiting at Heaven’s Gates for her loved ones to join her serving God. She was preceded in death by her parents. Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 12, 2020, at 10:30 a.m. in the Cedar Christian Reformed Church in Cedar with Reverend John Ritsema officiating. There will be a family prayer service at 10:15 Saturday morning in the fellowship hall of the church. Burial will be in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa. The Fremont Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation with the family present will be Friday evening from 5-7 p.m. in the Cedar Christian Reformed Church in Cedar. Memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.