Genevieve "Gen" Zuidema
d. March 30, 2023
Genevieve “Gen” Zuidema, age 86, of Willmar, Minnesota passed peacefully to her heavenly home on Thursday, March 30, 2023, due to cancer, at Carris Health Care Center and Therapy Suites in Willmar. A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, April 7, 2023, at 2:00 PM at Bunde Christian Reformed Church. Burial will be in the Spring in the church cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Livestream will be available via the church’s website.
Genevieve Laura Bohlsen Zuidema was born to Martin and Dena (Peters) Bohlsen on April 28, 1936, on her parent’s farm in Clara City, Minnesota. She attended the country school and graduated from Clara City High School in 1954. Genevieve was baptized and made her personal profession of faith in Jesus at Bunde Christian Reformed Church, where she was a life-long member.
On July 27, 1955, Gen married Robert “Bob” Mahlum, and they made their home in Clara City. From this union, three children were born: Ricky Gene, Julie Diane, and Gregory Robert. Gen worked at Variety Supply Center (VSC) in Clara City. After Bob’s death in 1983, she moved to Arden Hills, Minnesota where she was employed at Dain Bosworth for eleven years. In 1996, Gen moved back to Clara City and remodeled the home her parents left her. On June 14, 2003, she married James Zuidema and they made their home in Willmar.
Gen enjoyed raising her children, crafts, sewing, gardening, travel, playing the piano and singing, cooking and baking her famous cinnamon rolls that were enjoyed by the family on every occasion.
Gen is survived by her husband, Jim Zuidema of Willmar; children, Rick (Pat) Mahlum of Plymouth, Julie (Bill) Toppson of Grant, Gregory (Trish) Mahlum of Barrington, IL; grandchildren, Ericka, Robert and Courtney, Will, Jessica and Kelsey, Laura and Ashley; great-grandchildren, Lena, Marie, Deacon and Benton; brother, Virgil (Hilda) Bohlsen; stepchildren, Arlin (Doris), Douglas, Cherris (Garry) and their loving children and grandchildren; and a host of other loving friends and relatives.
Gen is preceded in death by parents, Martin and Dena; first husband, Robert; grandson, Matthew Robert Mahlum; brothers, Henry (Doris), John (Betty), Marvin (Marion); sister-in-law, Mildred (Harold) Slater.
Genevieve Laura Bohlsen Zuidema was born to Martin and Dena (Peters) Bohlsen on April 28, 1936, on her parent’s farm in Clara City, Minnesota. She attended the country school and graduated from Clara City High School in 1954. Genevieve was baptized and made her personal profession of faith in Jesus at Bunde Christian Reformed Church, where she was a life-long member.
On July 27, 1955, Gen married Robert “Bob” Mahlum, and they made their home in Clara City. From this union, three children were born: Ricky Gene, Julie Diane, and Gregory Robert. Gen worked at Variety Supply Center (VSC) in Clara City. After Bob’s death in 1983, she moved to Arden Hills, Minnesota where she was employed at Dain Bosworth for eleven years. In 1996, Gen moved back to Clara City and remodeled the home her parents left her. On June 14, 2003, she married James Zuidema and they made their home in Willmar.
Gen enjoyed raising her children, crafts, sewing, gardening, travel, playing the piano and singing, cooking and baking her famous cinnamon rolls that were enjoyed by the family on every occasion.
Gen is survived by her husband, Jim Zuidema of Willmar; children, Rick (Pat) Mahlum of Plymouth, Julie (Bill) Toppson of Grant, Gregory (Trish) Mahlum of Barrington, IL; grandchildren, Ericka, Robert and Courtney, Will, Jessica and Kelsey, Laura and Ashley; great-grandchildren, Lena, Marie, Deacon and Benton; brother, Virgil (Hilda) Bohlsen; stepchildren, Arlin (Doris), Douglas, Cherris (Garry) and their loving children and grandchildren; and a host of other loving friends and relatives.
Gen is preceded in death by parents, Martin and Dena; first husband, Robert; grandson, Matthew Robert Mahlum; brothers, Henry (Doris), John (Betty), Marvin (Marion); sister-in-law, Mildred (Harold) Slater.
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