Obituary of Clarence Nieuwsma

Clarence Nieuwsma 1916-2014 Clarence Nieuwsma went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, October 8, 2014, in San Jose, California. He was 97. His memorial service will also honor his wife of 65 years, Marianne, who passed away a week earlier on Wednesday, October 1, 2014. The service will be held in the Chapel at Lincoln Glen Manor, 2671 Plummer Ave, San Jose, CA, on Sunday, October 19, at 2:30 p.m. Clarence was born on November 17, 1916, in Strasburg, North Dakota, on the "Home Sweet Home" family farm, to Edward and Adriana Nieuwsma. He and his siblings Annie, Hidde, Maurice, John, Peter, Nettie, Augusta, Donald, Ralph, and Irene, helped with farm chores and faithfully attended the Strasburg Reformed Church, founded in part by family members in 1917. Clarence graduated from Strasburg High School on May 25, 1940, after which he earned a Teaching Certificate and taught at a one-room school house. As for so many young men, World War II interrupted Clarence's plans to pursue higher education, and instead he was inducted into the United States military on March 11, 1941, in Fargo, North Dakota. Subsequently, he served in the Army Air Corps as an airplane pilot, flying B-24 planes with the 389 Bomb Group in the 567 Squadron. His unit was assigned to the European Theatre, where they fought battles and campaigns in the Rhineland region of Germany. Clarence received an Honorable Discharge on November 20, 1945, having achieved the rank of Second Lieutenant. Years later, Clarence would describe his military service as the fulcrum and pivot point of his life; the death of close comrades and the reminders of his own mortality, caused him to reflect on life's brevity, and oriented him towards meaningful service and sacrifice. With his military service behind him, Clarence was finally free to pursue his college education at the Bible Institute of Los Angeles or BIOLA (now Biola University), where he worked on the school newspaper and performed with a musical ensemble, Eschol Cosby and the Christian Cowboys. He received a General Course Diploma in Biblical Studies in 1949. The following year Clarence completed his education at John Brown University, in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Bible and Religious Education there, graduating on May 25, 1950. While at BIOLA, Clarence met nursing student Marianne Gamble, of Alberta, Canada. The two were married on March 11, 1949, in Bellflower, California. In 1952, Clarence and Marianne responded to a call from the Lord to work as missionaries in the Philippines in Southeast Asia, and served for 25 years with the Far Eastern Gospel Crusade, later SEND International. The Nieuwsmas added a daughter and five sons to the busy family, and settled in Quezon City, a suburb of Manila. Clarence became proficient in the Tagalog language and did graduate work in the field of Anthropology at the University of the Philippines. He also taught and mentored students in Manila's universities, and aided local clergy in establishing new church congregations. Upon return to the United States, Clarence continued to tutor and disciple international college students, serving in Honolulu, Hawaii, San Diego, California, and Salem, Oregon. During his years in Salem, he enjoyed working with the Keizer Community Church, ministering to Russian immigrants, and tutoring and hosting various Asian newcomers to the U.S. He also found time to tend his large vegetable garden and fruit trees, and enjoyed many visits from his growing brood of grandchildren. One of his greatest joys in this chapter of his life, was playing guitar and harmonica in a band; he and fellow senior musicians practiced on Sunday evenings and occasionally performed in Salem venues. In July of 2008, he and Marianne moved to San Jose, California to live at Lincoln Glen Manor. Clarence found more opportunities for ministry and service at Lincoln Glen, leading the music in services and teaching morning Bible studies for the residents. The Nieuwsmas enjoyed their years there, making friends with both the staff and residents. Clarence and Marianne are survived by their six children and their spouses: Craig and Myra (Nieuwsma) Gruenberg, Tim and Ginny Nieuwsma, David and Janie Nieuwsma, Duane and Christianne Nieuwsma, Darrell Nieuwsma, and Brian Nieuwsma. They will be greatly missed by their 15 grandchildren: Esther Skelley Jordan, Jeremiah Gruenberg, and Miliana Gruenberg Johnson; Annie Swehla, April Pierce, Allison, Ted, John, and Andrew Nieuwsma; Victoria, Alexandra, Sophia, and Anastasia Nieuwsma; and Sarah and Themba Nieuwsma. They also leave eight great-grandchildren: Donnie Jordan; Jane and Ella Johnson; and Dimas, Debora, Thomas, Peter, and Nicholas Swehla. In memory of Clarence and Marianne, gifts may be made to: Keizer Community Church 380 Churchdale Ave. Keizer, OR 97303 or Lincoln Glen Manor 2671 Plummer Ave. San Jose, CA 95125