Jane Ellen (Boersma) Teunissen

Jane Ellen Teunissen, 78, joined Our Savior in her heavenly home on December 22, 2016. She died peacefully at her winter home in Indio, CA. She was born to Frank and Angie Boersma in Zweeloo, Netherlands on February 1, 1938. Her birth name was Janne Everdiene Boersma. The third of four siblings; Ed Boersma, Anne Wind (deceased in 2012), and Bill Boersma. Her childhood was filled adventures and the love of her friends and family, yet not without much historical significance and accomplishment by her parents.

As a young child, WWII became a defining era for their family. Her father Frank, was intricately involved in the Dutch Resistance, which put the security of their family at high risk during the Nazi occupation. To make the challenge even greater, her parents gave a safe harbor to many afflicted Jews who lived secretly in their attic. Jane remembers being a young girl and knowing that each time they approached the staircase, they must whistle a song. This was an alert to those living above that they must be quiet, as a child knowing the entire situation could jeopardize all of their safety. She also recalled the “skies being black with American B-24 and B-17 bombers” as the military flight pattern was directly over their home in Northern Holland. It was a terrifying time, but God preserved them to further His plan.

The Allied victory brought new promise; it was time to head to America. This came with dire risk of loving relationships being affected and possessions forever lost. The family was so grateful for this new adventure and never ceased thanking God for their opportunity to be part of this free country. They were fortunate enough to join the growing dairy industry in their new home in Bellflower, CA. With faith and high determination, they built and ran a dairy farm of their very own.

Jane attended Valley Christian High School in Cerritos, CA. She was an avid athlete and is well admired to this day by her former high school classmates. She met the love of her life Bernard Teunissen and their marriage blessed them with three children and many years of business together, along with their family.

Memories of life on the Corona Dairy are too many to list; it was a haven of love, family bonds, work ethic, unwavering faith in Christ, and giving with grace. These attributes were the anchor of Jane and Bernards legacy.

In 2000, Jane and Bernard followed their two sons to Nampa, ID, in order to further progress their sons’ growing operations. They loved Idaho, and had no shortage of new friends to play cards with, RV trips to conquer, and family to take pride in. They spent the winters in Indio, CA, and loved their friends, family, and dear neighbors there. In 2015 Jane said her earthly goodbye to her husband of 58 years. It was a difficult loss for her.

Jane was remarkable as an individual woman: poised, graceful, generous, and she knew how to lay out a gorgeous meal in her perfectly appointed home where you were made to feel like royalty. She conquered her fear of flying by pursuing her own pilot’s license. That certainly made her an admirable Grandma!

Her garden was always delightful; red geraniums in Corona, dahlias and roses in Idaho, and tropical beauty in Indio. She was an avid reader and traveller. Shelves filled with book collections and beautiful things always opened a door to a story of another exciting adventure. Jane was an accomplished pianist, and used her talents quite extraordinarily with her family and the church she loved, Calvary in Chino. She and Bern always saw themselves as vehicles for the message of the gospel, and stayed very involved in numerous capacities (choir, Bible studies, youth leaders) in their church communities. Leaving this earth will certainly leave a gap that will be felt by many, especially her family. We know with blessed assurance, that she belongs body and soul to her Savior Jesus Christ. Often times, she would boisterously proclaim that her trust and comfort from the Lord Jesus Christ is “immeasurably more than she could ask or imagine”.

Mom's last year has been full of adventures with our family. We traveled to Europe together and learned about her childhood, celebrated a wedding and closed out the summer with all of us at Payette Lake. We are so fortunate to have spent this time with her!

Jane is survived by her children and their spouses; Renae and Art De Jager; Bernie and Anna Teunissen and Frank and Leslie Teunissen; her siblings, Ed (Betty) Boersma; Bill (Pat) Boersma; her brother-in-law, John (Cory) Wind; 11 grandchildren and 20 Great-grandchildren.

A memorial service to honor her life will be held on January 6, 2017 at 1:00pm at the Crossroads Community Church, 4170 E. Amity Ave., Nampa, Id 83687 – 208-463-9070. Interment will be private.

The family suggests memorial contributions in Jane’s name be sent to Nampa Christian Schools, 11920 W. Flamingo Ave., Nampa, ID. 83651 or the Nampa Salvation Army, 403 12th Ave. So., Nampa, ID 83651.

Services are under the direction of the Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel, 415 12th Ave. So., Nampa, Idaho 83651 – 208-442-8171. An online guest book is available at www.nampafuneralhome.com

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