Corrie den Iseger

Oma-and-MomCorrie (Oma) was born to Jacob and Francina Leewis, Nov. 22, 1924, in Utrecht, the Netherlands. She married Henk den Iseger in 1951 and had a daughter, Sini, in 1953.163536_10150898167384773_1740769197_n

Corrie was 16 years old when WWII broke out, which impacted her personality and spirit immensely. The stories of Oma interacting with friendly Germans, hiding a radio in the kitchen, the imposed curfew, and her Mother assisting in an underground network to hide Jewish babies, will not be forgotten. Although Henk died early in her marriage, she continued to carry him in her heart. She continued to talk about him with deep love and adoration.  After Henk passed away, Oma managed a bed and breakfast at her home where she hosted people from all over the world. These people gave Oma insight into the many different cultures and nationalities and helped her become a well-rounded individual.

After living in The Netherlands for 42 years, she moved with Sini to America in 1965.  The immigration to America provided humorous stories of a courageous woman persistent in her pursuit of work and social life. Even after being in America for a longer duration, Oma always considered herself more Dutch. She remained connected with her family back in the Netherlands and cherished their visits.

Oma has always lived close to Sini’s family, which resulted in a deep friendship with her grandchildren. Jacob will miss dancing with Oma in the kitchen, sharing the deep parts of their lives with each other, and praying together. Brandon will miss playing Dutch Shuffleboard, watching Wheel of Fortune, and showing Oma off to all of his friends. Beau will miss playing chess, Ping-Pong, and their regular goofball lunches at Nordstrom Cafe. She taught them how to maintain a positive attitude, and  that things we couldn’t control shouldn’t break us down. In such times she famously reminded them, “such is life.”

We will always remember Oma’s shining demeanor that was nonjudgmental, accepting of everyone, down to earth, and jocular.

554383_2913968708334_1651923980_nCorrie is survived by: daughter ,  Sini and her husband Bob Schmitt; grandchildren Beau, Brandon, and Jacob; and all the family in the Netherlands. One sister, many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Oma requested that no funeral service be held, but we will have a small celebration with friends and family at the end of June. Donations can be given to Evergreen Hospice via online, phone, fax, and mail. Click on link for more info: www.evergreenhospital.org/hospice.
Phone #1-800-442-4546.

20 Responses to “Corrie den Iseger”

  • Paul Diaz says:

    In the little time that I knew Oma she brought happiness into our life. We got to know her because she attended Ballard Church with Jacob and Sini. It was a delight to see her on Sunday mornings – she was always radiant with joy! Her smile was contagious for sure and she was always up for a hug! Her baptism was a special time for all of us and I am so glad that we were able to experience that together. I am confident that she is with the Lord in heaven and that one day we will see her again. Sorry to the family for your loss but rejoicing that she is in a better place!

  • Kim Kissler Emmerton says:

    I remember first meeting Oma back in the 70’s when Sini and I rented a little house in a neighborhood near Northgate in Seattle. They were so close. Oma would stop by for a visit, and I would hear them busily conversing in Dutch. Sini would tell me that times when they’d be shopping together, they would inadvertently address a sales clerk while speaking Dutch, and then realize they were not being understood, after being met with a blank stare. Later after Sini and Bob married and had their boys, it was always fun to see Oma present at each and every celebration and event. I will greatly miss her friendly smiling face, and warm hugs.

  • Co Enders says:

    Co says: I cried when they left The Netherlands in 1965.
    I will miss her because she was my “sugar aunt”:).
    We always were respectful to each other and always ready to help each other. We loved each other in a special way, a way that once in your life happens.
    Trees says: I met her in 1971.I always respected her in a special way, she was always interested in what happened in our lives and in our children Paul en Remco.
    In 2011 she was in The Netherlands and she hold our granddaughter Nina. She was so lovely and proud.

  • Jean Marty says:

    Oma was such a part of your family, she became a part of all of ours as well. I believe it is the Schmitt way. I remember watching games with her (even football which I know she didn’t like, but of course if the boys were playing, she was there. Traveling to games in the back of your van. The boys hanging out with her, Sini taking her everywhere, Bob fixing things for her, and her looking for the bathroom at church. I just start smiling thinking about her. She was a trooper. She was so loved and cared for even when she wasn’t loving. You are an incredible family and Oma was an inspirational woman. We are so much richer having known her. Thank you for sharing her with us.

  • Elaine Ponton says:

    There are those rare times when you meet someone who comes from a genuine heart right from the start. Oma is one sweet lady with warm eyes and a lovely smile. I remember sitting next to her visiting for many years on preschool field trips, events, many Maplewood PCEP functions and those loads of basketball games. Love and prayers to all of the family during this difficult time.

  • Paul says:

    Tante Cor always was far away but close to our hearts.

    Growing up it was always a very special moment if she would visit us in the Netherlands. We have recalled many good memories of those visits and then also once we started visiting her in the US as we became adults or at our wedding in Pittsburgh.

    She was always there for everybody and will be missed!

  • Jacqueline Forger says:

    My tante Cor was very precious to me. Not so much in the early years since I was only seven when she left. But in later years our contact became more regular. She taught me a lot about letting go and accepting things for what they are.
    She was able to let every individual have the feeling they were very special to her and… they were.
    To me she was distant but never far away! She often said: “If only you could crawl through the telephone line right now. I would love to have a cup of tea with you. With a stroopwafel!”
    She loved her grandsons dearly and she was so proud of them!
    The last time I hugged her we both felt this could be our last hug.
    Knowing that Sini and Bob took so lovingly care of her makes it feel like a perfect ending to an adventurous and well lived life.

  • Nick Johnson says:

    I didn’t get the privilege of knowing Oma for too long, but she always had a light shine from her. She always had a smile and I really admired her relationship with her family. Jacob, her grandson, would always do things to poke good with her. She always played along with the little games and I really admired that. I will never forget the day Jacob and Pastor Paul had the opportunity to baptize her. Seeing her make that visual commitment to Christ had a profound effect on me. She is someone that I’ve always had the utmost respect for. Even though I didn’t know her that well, I will always remember how she made me feel as if I were part of the family.

  • Sven Schot says:

    I am sad today after hearing of her passing. I had known Corrie for 48 of my 52 years in this life. She met my parents a long time ago when we came in 1964 and they were the best of friends. Corrie was like an Aunt to me and I really enjoyed being around her as I was growing up.. She was always positive and bubbly. As time went by, she took me to get my drivers license and let me use her 1970 Camaro to take it in. I passed and when we left the DMV I hit a pole and dented the door. She said ” its okay, it happens “… WOW. Sini also was dear to me and still is. She was my babysitter for a while :)..
    Anyway. We lost a very wonderful lady. I truly will miss her even though we haven’t seen each other for a while.She will always have a place in my heart.
    From Sven and Terri. We will miss you Tante Corrie…

  • Karen Platt says:

    I can’t express how sad I was to hear the news of Tante Corrie. I couldn’t have asked for a better place to have my mother break the news. I was on a remote Alaskan Coast while Larry my husband surfed and Yarrow our daughter was busy at Bird Camp.

    I missed Tante Corrie long before she left this world and sweet memories of times gone by came flooding back while I sat alone on that beach. I can still smell the way her Queen Anne home smelled. I spent much of my childhood there with our family.

    As I grew older and went off to college she made a special room for me in her laundry room to live. It was such a warm, cozy space that I think I did more sleeping than studying! And…. She never said a word when I snuck the last (or all) of the Hagel Slaag and Ombiedkook!

    Her home was our home away from home for my brothers and I. For me Tante Corrie was much more than Tante. I hope she knew how much I loved her and always will.

    Sini and Baue, Thank you for bringing Tante Corrie to my Fathers celebration. It meant so much to my family and I. My heart is with all of you, your family and friends.

    I’m not sure how I will get by missing her celebration but my mother and I will make the day special in our own way and we will be thinking of all of you.

    With Love,
    Karen Platt

  • Betsy Rosens says:

    The first time I met Corry and Henk, Siny had just been born. My fiance Ben was a coleague of Henk at STORK-college. So we went to visit the couple.
    Later in July 1956, on the day Ben and I got married: what a coincidence!
    We stepped out of our wedding car and there was Corry again, at the other side of the street. She told us she was in town with her aunt. She unfortunately just lost Henk and she was still feeling very sad.

    We told her that we now had a house in her neighborhood. So from that time on we saw each other almost daily.With the three of us it became a never ending friendship for life.
    Of course I was very sad when she left Holland to go to the US. But she choose for a new life with Siny and I could understand!!!

    Now my love is especially going to Siny, my third daugter
    and also to Bob, Beau,Brandon and Jacob.

    Love Betsy Rosens

  • Adrie Leewis says:

    We will miss her so much, especialy our conversations when she hopped from Dutch to English, and she told of her life in Holland. She was a surrogate Oma to our sons, Theo, Paul and Andrew and grandson, Dylan. Love from your nephew in Portland Oregon, Adrie and Fran

  • Dolly Haakenson says:

    Hi Sini and family, Corri, your dear loved one sounds like an amazing person. I’m sorry I missed knowing her, though I think Gary and I met her. ? You are all so blessed to have such a strong woman to influence your lives. I know you will miss her, but what she taught you will become stronger within you. I am sorry for her passing, but always remember her love for you. My thoughts are with you, Dolly

  • Jacob Schmitt says:

    Oma, don’t have the words to describe what you meant to me. I began to understand God’s unconditional love for us by receiving that kind of love from you. I was so lucky to have you as a bestfriend. Thank you for accepting me and helping me grow. I hope to never forget your stories and vulnerability in sharing them. Ik houd van u, forever.

  • Nancy says:

    Dear Sini, Bob, Beau, Brandon, and Jacob,
    I met Mrs. den Iseger in 1968 ( that’s how we addressed parents back in those days). She always welcomed me into her home on Queen Anne and accepted all our teen age foolishness. My first impression of her was how beautiful, stylish, fun and exotic Mrs. den Iseger was. That was especially true when Sini and her spoke Dutch and ate chocolate on bread. When she made an Indonesian meal I was in awe. I have many fond memories of my High School years with Sini and Corrie. I will always cherish the time I had with her. With sympathy and love Nancy.

  • Ans Schot says:

    DEAR SINY AND FAMILY.
    SITTING HER AT THE LAKE, WHERE I LIVE ON AND LOOKING UP INTO THE SKY I KNOW THAT CORRIE AND MY HUSBAND ARE HAVING A GOOD TIME TALKING ABOUT OLD TIMES. THE FUN WE HAD. THE PARTIES, THE DANCING AND CORRIE HELPING GERARD AS ZWARTE PIET. HELPING ME WITH THE PLAYS I PUT ON. HELPING ME BY GIVING MY DAUGHTER A HOME WHEN SHE LIVED TOOO FAR AWAY FROM COLLEGE.THE GREAT DINNERS, THE LOVE AFFAIRS IN WHICH I HAD TO BE AN ADVISOR.
    SINY HELPING US WITH OUR SHEEP WHEN THEIR TAILS BECAME A PROBLEM.SO MANY MEMORIES!
    HER INSISTENCE ON SPEAKINBG DUTCH AND SOMETIMES CAUSING PROBLEMS FOR ME WITH MY AMERICAN FRIENDS.
    CORRIE, YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN MY HEART AND DON’T YOU FLIRT WITH MY HUSBAND NOW.
    MY SYMPATHY TO YOU SINY AND YOUR FAMILY AND STAY IN TOUCH, PLEASE.
    THE LAST YEARS WERE DIFFICULT, WHAN CORRIE LOST PART OF HER SPIRIT.

  • Karen Platt says:

    Dear Siny and family,

    I was so sorry not to be with all of you yesterday to celebrate Tante Corrie. I know we missed something really special. I hope it was everything you wanted it to be and then some more.

    With love,
    Karen

  • Henk Bos says:

    Hello to your all, i was inspired and curious about the last name “den Iseger” but first my (late) condolences to your Mother and Grandmother.
    I’m not related to this family but there’s someone in Canada who’s has that same last-name “den Iseger” her father came also from Utrecht, she’s living in Victoria, B.C. Canada but perhaps you knowing each other already.
    Her name is Betty and she visit the Netherlands every 4 or 5 years but i’ve never met her only by e-mail, i’ve lost contact with her and i don’t know why.
    You can tried to reach her by this name at Ancestry.com: dutchtoolips search for that name and perhaps you have something in common.
    With kind reagrds, Henk from the Netherlands.

  • Betty Washbrook (den Iseger) says:

    I am the person Henk Bos mentions in #18 above. I changed my email so lost contact with Henk Bos in Holland. My father was Henricus Johannes den Iseger born in Utrecht in 1919. Son of Henricus Johannes and Johanna Maria Galiart. He had 4 surviving brothers and 2 sisters. Who know maybe we are somehow related.

  • Ronald Fielmich says:

    Dear Sinni, I am a grandson of one of the sisters of your father Henk. First my( verry late) condolances to you, and your children. In Holland de Fam den Iseger often talked about You and Your mother. I can tell you thad your mother was the latest she overlived them all.
    When you are interested in the Fam in Holland let me know.
    Iwhis you and your famely all the best and perhabs we can write each other by computer.
    Yours.
    Ronald.

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