Gardena Roodzant

Gardena Roodzant, 92, died Nov. 30, 2003, at HomePlace Special Care Center, Oak Harbor. She was born Feb. 17, 1911, on the Canadian prairie near Alderson, Alberta, Canada, to Dutch homesteaders, Herman and Reka Ponsteen.

Gardena emigrated with her family from Canada to Oak Harbor when Gardena was 12 years of age. She was married to Bert A. Roodzant in Oak Harbor on July 19, 1929. Bert and his brother operated Roodzant Brothers chicken farm and hatchery where the current Wagon Wheel Trailer Park is located. Later they added a bulb farm to the business. Gardena was a farm worker as well as a baby sitter and housekeeper. She was a life member of First Reformed Church of Oak Harbor. She enjoyed her church activities as well as crocheting.

Mrs. Roodzant is survived by two sons and their wives, Larry and Kay Roodzant and Les and Patricia Roodzant, all of Oak Harbor; and by one sister, Ann Sather of Brinnon. Six grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren also survive. One brother, Andy Ponsteen, and three sisters, Toni Rimer, Frieda Spaulding and Reka Ponsteen, preceded her in death.

Memorial services for Gardena Roodzant will be held at First Reformed Church of Oak Harbor Thursday, Dec. 4, at 11 a.m., with Pastor Jon Brown officiating. Memorials may be made to the Gideons. Private burial was held at Fircrest Cemetery, Oak Harbor, under the direction of Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.