Two reunions, 50 years in the making

Two reunions 50 years in the making happened last week in Sioux Center.

Kathy (Hutt) Van Der Heide, Dordt University Class of 1973, got to participate in her Golden Reunion on May 18 as well as reunite with her host mom, 98-year-old Margaret Feekes of Sioux Center.

Fifty years ago, Kathy left her hometown of Goshen, New York and traveled over a thousand miles to study elementary education at Dordt College. She only went back to New York at Christmas, which meant she had to rely on those in the Sioux Center community for support, like the Feekes family.

“Mrs. Feekes would regularly have me over for Sunday dinner, and their family would let me bring some friends along,” she recalls. “I didn’t have a car while I was here, so they’d help me run errands. They became my second set of parents while I was at Dordt.”

Years have passed since Kathy graduated from Dordt. She got married and moved to Dorr, Michigan, where she eventually began work in accounting and raised three sons. But she never forgot about the kindness that the Feekes family showed her during her four years at Dordt.

On her drive from Dorr to Dordt to attend the 50th class reunion, she thought about Margaret Feekes and the impact the family had had on her life. She wondered, could Mrs. Feekes still be alive?

After making a few phone calls, Kathy was able to reconnect with the Feekes family and set up a time to get together during her visit to Sioux Center. She was able to reunite with 98-year-old Margaret Feekes, which was special blessing.

“We hugged and kissed; it was just sweet,” says Kathy. “To think that after 50 years, I could come back and visit with her. She’s still as sharp as a tack and has a great sense of humor.”

“It was really wonderful to see Kathy again,” says Margaret Feekes. “We had a lot to reminisce about. Over the years, we were able to make long trips to see one another, but it had been about 14 years since I’d seen her last.”

“I was sure I wouldn’t see her this side of heaven again,” adds Kathy. “But this just goes to show that friendships are really important no matter what part of life you’re living. God brings people in and out of your life. I’ve been so blessed by other people, like the Feekes family. I want to be a blessing to others, too. Margaret kept saying, ‘I can’t believe you came to see me.’ I asked her, ‘Why wouldn’t I? You’ve been such a blessing in my life.’ It was very special to reconnect with her, after 50 years.”

About Dordt University

As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Dordt University equips students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Dordt is a comprehensive university named to the best college lists by U.S. News and World Report, the Wall Street Journal, Times Higher Education, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review.