Ineke C. Willems

Mrs. Willems died Saturday, Oct. 19, 2002, at her home.

She was born Oct. 13, 1927, in Rijswijk, Netherlands, the daughter of Pieter Wessels and Annie Maria Cornelia Wessels-de Vries.

Mrs. Willems and her husband emigrated in 1948 to South Africa and lived in Pretoria, Johannesburg and Lyttleton. In 1954 they transferred to Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia, until they emigrated in 1960 to the United States.

Mrs. Willems co-founded Mustard Seed Christian Fellowship in 1974 in Lawrence with her husband. She was a spiritual leader and Bible study teacher for many years. She played an important part in bringing the Alpha Course to Lawrence in 1997 and was co-host and sponsor of Doorstep Ministries monthly potluck dinners. She was also a foster parent to more than 20 children and a member of Tenola Club and Engineering Wives’ Club.

She married Nick Willems on Jan. 15, 1948, in the Netherlands. He survives of the home.

Other survivors include two daughters, Ann Kihm-Willems and Elise W. Dreyfus-Willems, both of Lawrence; a former foster daughter, Valerie Vieux, Lawrence; three sons, Hank M. Willems, Pieter J. Willems and Kevin B. Willems, all of Lawrence; three sisters, Ellen Forma-Wessels, Anneke Penning-Wessels and Clarie Uyterlinde-Wessels, all of the Netherlands; 20 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

A reception will follow the memorial service at the church.

The family suggests memorials to the Mustard Seed Christian Fellowship Alpha Course, sent to the church or in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.

Online condolences may be sent to info@warrenmcelwain.com, subject: Willems.