Obituary of Jennie Devries

Jennie (Jeltje) Devries
1938-2025

On July 15, Jennie (nee Hamstra) Devries peacefully entered her eternal home at the age of 87. Though her memory faded during 10 years of living with dementia, her love, kindness and presence will be deeply remembered by her husband Charles, her children Kathryn Devries, Frederick (Trudy) DeVries, Gregory (Jennifer) Devries, and Patricia (Robert) Sluys, and her grandchildren Alex, Abby, Megan, Eric, Ethan and Jackson. She is predeceased by her daughter Janet (in 2007).

Born in the Netherlands in 1938, Jennie immigrated to Canada in 1953 with her parents the late Pieter and Jantje Hamstra, and her siblings Aafke (the late George) Ypma, Wick (the late Wilma) Hamstra, Tina (John) Sandink, and Jake (Jean) Hamstra. The Hamstra family settled in Strathroy, Ontario.

She married Charles in 1958 and became a sister-in-law to nine Devries siblings: the late Wilma and Andrew Veenstra, the late Elsie and Frans Vriesema, Margaret (the late Frank) Vanderheide, the late Anne and Elco Wiersma, the late Arnold (Gertie) Devries, Alice (the late Fred) Postma, Christina (the late Bill) Kloostra, the late Harry (Joanne) Devries, and Janet (the late John) Fischer.

Jennie was also an aunt to dozens of nephews and nieces from both the Hamstra and Devries sides of her extended family.

Throughout her life, Jennie knew and followed her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. For decades, she was an active member of Dresden Christian Reformed Church, where her passion to serve and care for others has left a spiritual legacy.

Family and friends are welcome to share their condolences in person on Friday, July 18 at Badder Funeral Home & Reception Centre, 679 North Street, Dresden. Visitation hours are 1 to 3 p.m., and 6 to 8 p.m. In honour of Jennie, donations will be accepted to either the Canadian Cancer Society or Alzheimer’s Society.

To celebrate her faithful life and heavenly homecoming, a service will be held at Dresden Community Church (29043 Community Road) on Saturday, July 19 at 11 a.m., followed by a light luncheon for all guests. Prior to the funeral service, a private interment ceremony will take place at 9:30 a.m. at the Mayhew-Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Thamesville.

Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from Him.

Truly He is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

Psalms 62:5-6