Tena Bierling

With a rich and rewarding life filled with love, family, and unwavering faith, Tena Bierling was an inspiration to all who knew and loved her. Her life exemplified what it means to be the hands and feet of the Lord she served, and she counted both the peaks and valleys throughout her life’s journey as part of God’s divine plan for her life. There was nothing that Tena wouldn’t do for her husband and children, but she just may have argued that becoming a grandmother and great-grandmother was life’s richest reward. Life will never be the same without her here, but her family finds comfort in knowing that she is enjoying His perfect peace while rejoicing that the generations who follow her will join her one day.

After the end of WWI in 1919, numerous European countries were left to pick up the pieces that were left behind, and although they were neutral, the Netherlands worked hard to regain their footing after their neighboring countries, like Belgium, suffered tremendously at the hands of the Germans. It was during this time of rebuilding that Jantina Johanna Ibershof was born in Groningen, the Netherlands, on March 25, 1922. She was the youngest of four children born to Gysbert and Janna Ibershof.

As a young girl Jantina had great aspirations of becoming a nurse, but her dad, an under officer in the Dutch Army, put her to work in the office where she kept busy typing documents that were often used to help protect Jewish citizens.

It wasn’t just in secretarial skills that Jantina developed a strong work ethic as her mother also instilled this character trait into her children by insisting that each of her children learn how to keep a house. She learned these invaluable skills by working as a housekeeper. Jantina’s continuing desire to be a nurse coupled with her spirit of compassion led her to work as an aid to children with special needs. She also fostered a deep love for animals throughout her life, often having dogs as a child.

Introduced through an acquaintance, the shy but handsome Tinus Bierling caught Jantina’s attention. Tinus and Jantina were engaged in 1943, but before they were able to get married, World War II broke out in Europe. They were able to finally get married in January of 1946.

The newlyweds moved into the little apartment atop Tinus’ barber shop in Scheveningen and began to build their life together. Just a little over a year later, their first child, Janna was born. They welcomed a son next, Gysbert, who was followed another little girl, Derkje.

In February of 1952, this family of five boarded a ship and moved to set up life in the United States. Although she left her parents and siblings behind, Jantina respected her husband’s leadership and willingly embraced his dream for a better life. She was committed to learning English, doing many a word puzzle or game to help her.

The Bierling family expanded quickly as they welcomed Robert, Richard, and Linda over the next few years. Jantina, who then became known as Tena, was a hard-working mother and wife. She valued faith in the Lord Jesus Christ above all and was instrumental in making sure her children knew and loved the Lord. Tena considered it her highest honor and greatest blessing to provide for her husband and children in their home. Although having six children can be a challenge at times, she and Ted complimented each other as parents. Although he rarely raised his voice, Tena’s husband saw to it that the children listened. They did everything together including paying the bills and budgeting. Tena and Ted were frugal, paying cash for the things they purchased, yet they were also incredibly charitable with what they had.

Although she ran a tight ship, Tena and Ted’s home was deeply rooted in love. She kept a schedule complete with coffee and tea throughout the day in addition to regular mealtimes so the family could sit together. For two weeks every summer Tena and Ted rented a cottage for their family, and they also enjoyed many day trips to Gun Lake that were meticulously planned by Tena so that everything would go smoothly.

After retiring, Ted and Tena spent the winter months as snowbirds, enjoying their time in Florida. She played a mean game of Shuffleboard and had a collection of trophies to prove it. Shuffleboard was not the only game Tena excelled in, however, as she was an avid Yahtzee player, playing weekly with Jean or Bob. In fact, she continued to play until this last week. During her Friday night visits from Olga and Linda, she would often challenge them to a game of Scrabble. Tena also enjoyed family gatherings

When she wasn’t playing games, you could find Tena in the kitchen baking cookies. “Grandma’s Cookies” were unparalleled. She always had cookies, Coke, and Dutch Dropjes for everyone who would visit. Bert made sure her Dropje supply never ran dry, and he was always available to help her with needed repairs. Tena was content just to be at home, and although she wasn’t one to want extravagant vacations, she was able to travel to the Netherlands for extended stays with family.

In 1996, Tena’s beloved husband passed away. They had just celebrated 50 years of marriage and while his loss was difficult, she rejoiced in the blessing of a long life together and God’s faithfulness to them, their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. During the weeks, months, and years that followed, Tena’s family was faithful in visiting and assisting her as needed. She was a great storyteller, and her grandchildren completed many a school project based on her stories. Tena also enjoyed watching Animal Planet, doing word puzzles, and telling stories.

Tena lost her dear son, Richard Sr. in 2008 after a battle with cancer. She took great comfort in his unwavering Christian faith and in the memories of his frequent visits where they would sit and chat about religion and politics.

Additionally, Tena was the proud grandmother to 24 grandchildren and great-grandmother to an impressive 49 great-grandchildren. You could see the joy on her face when she would hold each new great-grandbaby who was added to the family.

In the end, this mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother left one request – keep the faith of our fathers and teach the little ones about Jesus and his sacrifice on the cross. She passed into the arms of her heavenly Father, on September 12, 2013, firm in her faith and salvation.

We are now celebrating and rejoicing with her as she is now seeing, hearing and experiencing what God has prepared for His chosen child. Tena Bierling was preceded in death by her loving husband Ted and her son Richard Sr. Surviving are her children Jean Goei (Bing), Bert Bierling (Lori), Olga VanderLeest, Robert Bierling, Linda DeKoster (Dean) ,Cathy (Bierling) Young, 24 grandchildren and 49 great grandchildren. Visitation is at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home - Van Strien Funeral Home – Creston Chapel – 1833 Plainfield NE on Sunday September 15, 2-4 pm and 7- 9 pm. Her funeral service will be held at Trinity United Reformed Church – 7350 Kalamazoo Ave. SE on Monday at 9am. For those who wish, memorial contributions to either Zion Christian School or Raybrook Assisted Living are appreciated. To read more about Tena's life, to share a memory, or to sign the guestbook before you arrive, please visit www.lifestorynet.com

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God

has prepared for those who love him”

I Corinthians 2: 9