Eleanor Mae Kingma

May 6, 1937 - March 31, 2021

Eleanor Mae Kingma, age 83, of DeMotte, Indiana, passed away on Wednesday, March 31, 2021, at home, surrounded by loved ones. Eleanor was born May 6, 1937, in Rensselaer, Indiana, the daughter of Melvin and Evelyn (Dexter) Toppen. She graduated from DeMotte High School in 1955. Eleanor married her true love, Harold Kingma, on April 24, 1956. He preceded her in death on July 6, 2020. As a farmer’s wife, she assisted in daily farm tasks and was especially active in the operations of the Kingma Christmas Tree Farm. Eleanor was a member of First Christian Reformed Church of DeMotte where she served as a GEMS counselor, and attended Golden Hour Society and Ruth’s Circle. In the community, she participated in the Red Hat Society, Hebron Lanes Ladies Bowling League, and Ladies Golf League. Eleanor enjoyed traveling, fishing, sewing, and other arts and crafts. Her greatest love was spending time with her children and grandchildren. Eleanor is survived by her loving children: Phyllis Penninga, Barbara (Fred) Hoekstra, Linda (Tom) Hanstra, Jon (Diane) Kingma, and Beth (Bill) Terpstra; 17 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren; siblings: Margaret Tillema, James (Eileen) Toppen, Karen (Paul) Kamminga, Robert (Carol) Toppen; sisters-in-law Rita Toppen and Sonya Kingma; many nieces, nephews, and extended family members. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother Melvin J. Toppen, and son-in-law Steven Penninga. Friends and family may visit, while wearing a mask and practicing social distancing, at the First Christian Reformed Church of DeMotte (IN), 1633 S. Halleck St., on Monday, April 5, from 10:00 until 11:45 AM. A funeral service will follow at 12:00 PM at the church, with Pastor Jim Alblas officiating. Interment will immediately follow at Holland Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Reformed Church, Oak Grove Christian Retirement Village, or Northwest Indiana VNA Hospice.