Phyllis Smedema

Phyllis M. Smedema, 95, of Waupun, passed away Saturday, May 7, 2022 at Prairie Ridge Assisted Living.

Phyllis was born October 25, 1926 in East Waupun the daughter of Elmer T. and Lulu Belle Moore Vanderkin, Sr. Phyllis was a graduate of Waupun High School. On November 3, 1945 she married Clarence Vande Zande and they resided in the Waupun area and farmed for 24 years. Clarence passed away November 2, 1980. On June 16, 1990 she married Ben Smedema and they resided in Waupun. Ben passed away February 1, 2005. Phyllis worked seasonally at Tom Dooley Apple Orchard in Waupun for 29 years. She was a member of Emmanuel Reformed Church in Waupun where she taught Sunday school, Bible class, and was the Sunday School Superintendent.

Phyllis is survived by her children: David (Paula) Vande Zande and Luann (Tom) Giebink; seven grandchildren: Dave Vande Zande, Jr. (special friend Kim Van Buren), Jennifer (Dan) Holz, Nikki (Derek) Bruesch, Caleb Giebink, Sam (Megan) Giebink, Josh Giebink, and Ben Giebink; three great-grandchildren: Mason, Raegan, and Reese; two brothers: Ted (Beth) Vanderkin and Dave (Nancy) Vanderkin; sisters-in-law: Helen Vanderkin, Nancy Vanderkin, Norma Smedema, and Jessie Smedema; Brother-in-law: Curt Smedema; seven foster children; step-children: Gene (Gloria) Smedema, Eric (Troyce) Smedema, Ken (Jennifer) Smedema, Alyce (John) Reese, Nancy (Matthew) Gattuso, and Ruth (Dan) Ireland; 19 step-grandchildren; 12 step-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her husbands: Clarence and Ben; a son, Ronald Vande Zande; brothers: Bill Vanderkin, John Vanderkin, and Larry Vanderkin; sisters: Jean Taeffner, Mary Kehrmeyer, and Priscilla Engstrom; sister-in-law, Jerrianne Vanderkin, Margaret Veenhuis, Alene Hull, Janice Orr and Beatrice Wiersma; brothers-in-law: Charlie Taeffner, Bob Engstrom, Art Docter, Harvey Veenhuis, Ed Hull, Hugh Orr, John DeVries and John Wiersma; three nephews; step-son-in-law, Lee Batterman; and step-grandchild, Charles Batterman.



Friends and relatives may call on the family on Thursday at the funeral home from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service.



Funeral services for Phyllis Smedema will be held Thursday, May 12, 2022 at 12 p.m. at Werner-Harmsen Funeral Home in Waupun with Pastor Mike Giebink officiating.


Burial will follow at Forest Mound Cemetery in Waupun.