Maaike Zwaagstra

Maaike Zwaagstra, went to be with the Lord Jesus on Sunday, May 26th, 2024.   She passed away peacefully at home with her daughter Jeanet and son-in-law Chris holding her hands.

Maaike was born on August 22,1932 in the town of Workum, The Netherlands, to Meine and Elisabeth Visser.  She grew up during one of the most turbulent times in history, the Second World War and the German occupation of The Netherlands.

Maaike met her husband Johannes at a social function in Friesland.   He was a dairy farmer in Wommels, which was a big change for her.  She was a city girl that fell for a dairy farmer.  They were married on October 21st, 1952, and remained deeply in love all their lives.  She was immensely dedicated to him and took care of her husband through his many health problems, until he passed away in 2001.  She had missed him every day since.  

Maaike had her first three sons, Bertinus, Meindert, and Hessel, in The Netherlands at home on the family farm. The family then emigrated to the United States in 1957 on the S.S. Nieuw Amsterdam.   In 1958 they settled in El Monte, California, and started a small dairy.    There they had their first daughter, Elizabeth.  They were so happy to finally have a little girl!  Her Dad called her “In lyts stikje buter yn ‘n brey” or roughly translated, “A   little piece of butter in the warm pudding!   Then came a son, John, and daughter, Jeanet.  After moving the dairy to Sebastopol, California, they had their youngest daughter Margaret (Maggie).  The entire family then moved the dairy to Visalia, California.  Maaike worked side by side with Johannes to establish and run the family dairy business for nearly 50 years.     

Maaike was a homemaker and a farm wife who raised seven children.  She was skilled in all the traditional homemaking arts including cooking, embroidery, sewing, knitting and crocheting.   She was an amazing artist, creating beautiful pieces that decorated her home.  She gave away many of her handiworks as gifts to her children and grandchildren.   She pursued her handiwork until she was no longer physically able to do so.  These works of art will be treasured by those that survived her.   In her later years she enjoyed reading, visiting with family, and watching rerun episodes of her favorite TV program, Lawrence Welk.   

Maaike is preceded in death by her husband Johannes and her son Hessel, as well as her parents Meine and Elisabeth Visser, and her brothers, Frank, Jacob and Johannes.  

Maaike is survived by her sister, Margje; her children, Bertinus, Meindert (Sharon), Diana (widow to Hessel), Elizabeth, John, Jeanet (Chris), Margaret (Shawn); grandchildren Christine, Thomas (Carla), Kristen, Justin, Kailyn (Zachary), Hessel Jr., Sarah, Noah, John and Chloe; great-grandchildren, Claire, Luke, Konner, and Kaylee and many nieces and nephews.

The Zwaagstra family would like to extend a sincere thanks to the caregivers at Senior Helpers of Madera, who treated her with care and dignity over the last several years.     Special thanks go to Lisa, Danielle, Ashlyn, Victoria, KaSarah, Jessica, Alicia, and countless others over the years.   We will be forever grateful and consider you like family.   

Graveside services will be held at the Visalia Public Cemetery, 1300 W. Goshen Ave, Visalia CA 93277 on June 7^, 2024, at 9:00 a. m.  Reception to follow at   the Visalia Christian Reformed Church 1030 S. Linwood St., Visalia, CA 93277 at 10:30 a.m.    In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Valley Caregiver Resource Center at www.valleycrc.org