Toontje VanderHoeven

Toontje VanderHoeven, beloved wife, mother and friend, died October 24, 2019 after a brave battle with cancer.  She leaves behind family and friends all over the world, who will miss her dearly.
Toontje brought light and love wherever she went. She had a gift of making everything around her beautiful.  She was witty, articulate and was a friend to everyone.  She was especially loved and treasured by her grandchildren. Toontje was a disciple of Jesus Christ, enduring to the end with faith and dignity, anticipating a joyful reunion with loved ones. She died with a firm hope of the Resurrection and Eternal Life.  
She was born Toontje Willemina Versteeg in Rotterdam, Netherlands to Krijn and Antje Hendrika van Ingen Versteeg. As a young child, she experienced the effects of World War II in her country. She and her family survived the bombing of Rotterdam and the starvation and suffering that followed. After their city was bombed, her family was relocated to The Hague, Netherlands where she lived on the same street as a young boy named Ludy VanderHoeven. Toontje and Ludy were childhood friends, and later became sweethearts.  They were married on December 23, 1953 in The Hague, and were later sealed in the Los Angeles temple. They were the parents of seven children, and their family lived in many different countries across the world.
Toontje is survived by her husband, Ludy; her children Debbie (Mark) Doxey, Cindy (Laun) Tischner, Ludy (Charlene) VanderHoeven, Stephen (Marti) VanderHoeven, Paul (Melanie) VanderHoeven, Jake (Gaynor) VanderHoeven.  Also survived by her 25 grandchildren, 40 great grandchildren, and her dog, Pepper.  She was preceded in death by a son, David VanderHoeven.
Toontje's family gratefully acknowledges the devoted service of the Eaglewood Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, who loved and tenderly cared for Toontje during her illness. The family also expresses appreciation to Laura, and the staff of Elevation Hospice of Utah for their gentle, professional care.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 2, 2019 at the Eaglewood Ward Chapel, 200 South Eagle Ridge Drive, North Salt Lake. A viewing will be held Friday evening from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful and Saturday morning 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the church prior to services. Interment-Alpine City Cemetery, Alpine, Ut.