Evelyn Mae (Vander Laan) Huizenga, 88, a lifelong resident of Westfield, ND, died July 11, 2015 atVibra Hospital, Mandan, ND. The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 17, 2015 at Hope Reformed Church, Westfield, with Rev. Paul Stout officiating. Burial will be in the Westfield Cemetery.Visitation will be from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, July 16, 2015 at Myers Funeral Home, Linton, ND where a service of remembrance will be held at 7 p.m.Evelyn was born July 16, 1926, to Arend and Grace (Van Beek) Vander Laan on the family farm near Westfield. When her mother passed away, Evelyn, at the age of 13, took over the responsibilities of the household, canning, cooking and baking for her father and younger brother. She rose before dawn in the summer to cook for threshing crews and did spring and fall house cleaning for various families.Evelyn attended rural school through the eighth grade and enjoyed playing guitar and singing with her friends at school picnics. She also enjoyed skating at the Westfield Roller Rink and attending softball games in which her husband and son, Steven, Jr. participated. At the age of 17, she married Sargent Steven Huizenga in Salina, KS, where he was stationed. After his discharge, Steven and Evelyn settled down to farm near Westfield. She worked side by side with Steven in the fields, planting trees, doing yard work, and updating their home. They enjoyed the simple things in life like riding motorcycle to town for a bite to eat after a day of combining. A beautiful yard and numerous flower gardens were her pride and joy.Evelyn was a member of the Hope Reformed Church and the ladies RCW Club (for 70 years). She sang in Easter cantatas and on special occasions during church services with her daughters, Connie & Sherry. Evelyn taught Sunday School for 21 years and also helped organize Christmas Youth Programs and taught Bible School. Her faith in God and constant prayers for family, friends and others was a priority in her life. She always put her family first. Evelyn was a gracious lady who always had a positive attitude. She was patient, kind, outgoing, and could have a conversation with anyone. She was the rock of our family and will be deeply missed by all for her Spirit of Faith, Heart of Kindness, Character of Beauty and Body of Strength.Evelyn is survived by her son, Steve (Sally), Westfield; daughters, Connie Holzer and Sherry Meier Bernhardt, both of Bismarck; grandchildren, Tami Huizenga (Randy) Rudnick, Chad (Sarah) Huizenga, Clint (Kelli) Huizenga, Chris (Colleen) Huizenga, Lisa Holzer Goetz, Lori Holzer (Luke) Cook, Stacy Holzer Stein, and Darin (Tami) Meier; 17 great grandchildren, 3 great grand step children, 1 great- great granddaughter, 5 great-great grand step children; one brother-in-law, Jerry (Sylvia) Huizenga, Linton, and sister-in-law, Mavis Huizenga, Linton, and many nieces and nephews.She left her loved ones here to once again be with Steven, who passed away February 17, 1986; her mother and father; sisters, Alice (John Millenaar) and Minnie (Ed Vander Vorst); brothers, Steven, John (Gertie), Fred (Emeralda) and Clarence (Sonny) (Carol); brother-in-law, Ike Huizenga and sister-in-law, Thelma (Ronald) Rodenburg; but above all, to be with her Heavenly Father.