Garneth Oostenink

August 16, 1923 - June 4, 2020

Garneth Oostenink, 96, died Thursday, June 4, 2020, at Sunrise Retirement Community. A visitation will be 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm Sunday, June 7, 2020, at Christy-Smith Funeral Homes, Morningside Chapel, 1801 Morningside Ave. A graveside service will be 11:00 am Monday, June 8, 2020, at Hope Cemetery in Hull, IA. Miss Oostenink was born August 16, 1923, in Hull, IA, a daughter of Gerrit and Hattie (Rikkers) Oostenink. She attended Hull Christian Grammar School and Hull Public High School. Garneth graduated from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI and received a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Before entering college, she worked as secretary/bookkeeper at Kooiker Manufacturing Company in Hull. When she witnessed her sister Lorraine’s graduation from Calvin, she decided that she wanted a college degree, also, so she entered college at the age of 33. Her post-university positions were in Social Work in Michigan and 19 years of Social Work with Western Hills Education Agency in Sioux City. She and her sister, Lorraine, lived together most of their lives and were best friends. They moved together to Sioux City in 1969 to be near to their aging parents who still lived in Hull. In 2007, they moved to Sunrise Retirement Community where they enjoyed their retirement years. Garneth has been a long-time member of Morningside Reformed/Sunnybrook Community Church, where she sang in the choir and was involved in church activities and volunteer work. Past memberships in both professional and civic organizations included: Local, State, and National Association of Social Workers, the ARC Organization, Retired School Personnel, St. Luke’s Hospital Auxiliary, and the Sioux City Women’s Club. Garneth is survived by her brother, Dr. Bill Oostenink of Hamilton, NY; her 6 nieces and nephews along with their spouses and children; and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her sisters: Verna Bouma, Lorraine Oostenink, Bonnie Geels; and 3 nephews. The family has requested that memorials be directed to the Sunnybrook Community Church or Sunrise Retirement.