Cornelia Kalkman

Our sweet mother, mama, Oma and great-Oma, Cornelia Johanna Kalkman passed away peacefully on March 4, 2025, at her daughter’s home, with her loving family by her side.

Cornelia was born on November 28, 1932, in Rotterdam Netherlands, to Maarten and Magdalena Catharina Groenendijk. Cornelia was the first child and only daughter and the pride of the family. Her happy early years of her youth didn’t last long. With WWII starting when she was only 8 years young. The memories of that horrible time have haunted her for the rest of her life.

Cornelia met Willem Kalkman at a church activity in Rotterdam. After a 4-year engagement, they were married on March 7, 1956, in Rotterdam the Netherlands.

Cornelia received an associate’s degree in Rotterdam and worked for a short while as a Secretary for the Quaker Oats grain elevators company in the harbor of Rotterdam.

Cornelia deeply loved being a wife and mother. Her husband and two children, Marjolein and Cees, were the main focus of her life.

Cornelia loved the springtime with all the fresh flowers and new beginnings. She had a green thumb and could make the most dreadful plant come alive again. Cornelia loved to read and had a big library of her most favorite books. She was able to read while knitting, which was another of her favorite pastimes, and she would dare this generation with their texting skills to do the same.

When her husband, Willem, retired from the V.V.V. (the Dutch tourist information service) in 1988, Cornelia and Willem immigrated to the U.S.A. to be with their two children, Marjolein and Cees.

Throughout her life, Cornelia has always supported her husband and family. She loved being an Oma and loved making happy memories with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Cornelia was an immaculate housekeeper, and the kids used to call her “the Dutch cleaner.” She enjoyed making her favorite red cabbage dinners for her family and her big pans of vegetable soup will be greatly missed.

Cornelia had a lot of common sense and was the true Matriarch of our family.

Cornelia is survived by her loving children, Marjolein (John) Tonks, Cees (Cathrine) Kalkman; one brother, Jan Groenendijk; and one sister-in-law, Gre Kalkman. She also leaves behind her 9 grandchildren, Michael (Stacie), Jason (Jennifer), Emily (Kyle), Rachel (Wyatt), Matthew (Brittnee), Benjamin (Roni), Camille (Dillon), Craig, Melissa (Josh); and her 11 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her dear husband, and her sweet granddaughter, Katie Tonks.

Cornelia will be greatly missed for her love, direction, and kindness, by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and all who knew her.

The family would like to thank the staff at Heritage Home Health and Hospice for their kind and loving care these last 6 weeks; Cassie, Taylor, and Emily, and a special thanks to her nurse, Shell Povey.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 11 am at Colonial Chapel, 2005 S. 4th Avenue Pocatello, Idaho, with a viewing from 10-10:45 am prior. Burial will follow at Mountain View Cemetery, 1520 S. 5th Avenue, Pocatello, Idaho.

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