Sophia Cornelia Bennink

Sophia Cornelia Bennink, 90, died on May 6, 2019 at Valley View Village Health Center in Des Moines. Sophia was born November 21, 1928 in Sully, Iowa to Jacob and Dena (Spoelstra) Van Hal. Sophia attended Sully Christian Day School, graduating from the eighth grade, after which time she was needed at home to help with her brothers and sisters. At the age of 14, she had a part-time job as a switchboard operator at Kilduff, IA and was later employed at the Mercy Hospital in Oskaloosa, IA as a nurse's aide.

Sophia married Donald L. Bennink on September 2, 1953. During the years Donald taught school, Sophia provided childcare for a number of teachers. She retired from childcare in 1988. In 2005, she and Donald moved to Valley View Village in Des Moines, IA.

Sophia accepted Christ at an early age and passed this legacy of faith and hope on to her family. It is of great comfort to know Sophia is now safely in the arms of her Savior. Over the years, she was very involved in church ministries and her grandchildren fondly remember her faithful devotion times, prayers, and Bible reading.

Sophia had a dry wit and great sense of humor. She happily indulged her grandchildren in pranks on "Grandpa" and had a great laugh when she was really tickled by something. She was always grateful for what the Lord had provided and was never one to waste anything. She enjoyed tending to God's creation - flowers and plants flourished under her care. She also was quite competitive when it came to games and greatly enjoyed game nights at Valley View. She enjoyed singing and in her later years sang with the Valley View Singers. She was also a member of the Valley View Village Guild. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren brought her much joy.

She is survived by her three married daughters: Susan (John) Burke of Omaha, NE; Ann (Kevin) Sorensen of Cokato, MN; and Karen (Tom) Schultz of Warrenton, VA and daughter in-law, Lynn Bennink, of Altoona, IA. She is also survived by eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald; son, David; her parents, Jacob and Dena Van Hal; two sisters, Helene Van Hal and Jennie Van Hal; three brothers, Raymond Van Hal, Jerry Van Hal, and Gerrit Van Hal; brother-in-law, James Vanden Oever; two nieces, Julie Moody and Stacy Wolfe; and nephew, Joel Van Hal.

Memorials may be directed to Hospice of the Midwest or Valley View Village. Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

Services will be held Saturday, May 11 at 10:30 a.m. at Valley View Village Chapel, 2571 Guthrie Ave. in Des Moines with visitation one hour prior. Burial will be at Powers-Warren Cemetery in Adelphi, IA.

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