Wilhelmina Elsje Kroon, 93, passed away peacefully in her sleep on December 30, 2017.
She was born in Ter Aar, Holland, in 1924. She fell in love with a handsome young man, Pieter Kroon, and they were married in May 1944. Only a few years earlier, Holland was invaded by Nazi Germany. Though nothing was certain and no one was safe, Piet and Wil began their family with the birth of two children, Cornelia and Cornelis. In 1956, they boarded the SS Groote Beer and sailed to a new life in America. They settled in Farmington, California, where they milked cows and eventually established a successful dairy business. Their last child, Mary, was born in 1957. Piet and Wil were married 55 years. Piet passed away in 1999.
Wil was a dedicated wife and mother, and a hard-working dairywoman. She loved to sing and dance and work in her garden. She was skilled at knitting and crochet, and tatted many fine pieces of lace. She was a kind, free-spirited, adventuresome soul with an infectious smile. She could do anything when she set her mind to it. She learned to water ski at the age of 40. At 85, she put on a helmet and buckled up a pair of chaps then took a ride around the Sutter Buttes behind her son on his Harley. She sang Dutch songs into his headset the whole trip. Her last motorcycle ride was on Mother’s Day 2016.
Wil is survived by her three loving children, Cora Christie Pryjmak, Casey Kroon (wife Valerie), and Mary Kroon; four grandsons, Rob Christie, Cary Christie (wife Christy), Sander Kroon, and Nieko Kroon (wife Alyssa), as well as two great-grandchildren Aaron Christie (wife Holli) and Tzofia Kroon, and one great-great-grandson Rumi Christie. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews living throughout the United States and Holland.
A celebration of life will take place at a date to be determined.
The Escalon (Calif.) Times
Jan. 10, 2018