Claudia Zylstra

Claudia Jeanne Zylstra, 76, of Oostburg, passed away on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at Aurora Medical Center – Sheboygan.

Claudia was born on May 17, 1949, to Edward and Wilma (Leys) Berends in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She was a graduate of Calvin College with a bachelor’s degree in sociology.

On June 4, 1971, Claudia married David Zylstra in Grand Rapids, MI, whom she had met in the choir at Calvin. Early on, while Dave was starting his ministry as a pastor in Chicago, she worked as a bank teller at the Wrigley Building. She then stayed at home in the early tender years of raising her three children, through a move to Baldwin, Wisconsin, before wading back into the workforce as a singer with the Dale Warland Singers. Through subsequent years living in Parkersburg, IA and then Prinsburg and Willmar, MN, she lived out over two decades in social work, advocating for the welfare of children and later that of vulnerable adults. Claudia was emphatic, empathetic, insightful and funny. She could light up a room with her warmth and humor. She enjoyed gardening and home decorating, hosting, and countless outings and scenic drives with David.

We rejoice in assurance that she is with God now – whole, free, radiant, and singing.

Claudia is survived by her two sons, Andrew (Jennifer) Zylstra, Brian (Lisa) Zylstra; daughter, Rachel (John) Walkinshaw; seven grandchildren, Maria, Kathryn, Caleb, Hannah, Iona, Josephine and Laurence; sisters, Mary (Thomas) Stuit and Susan (John) Medendorp; two brothers, Tim (Barbara) Berends and Mark (Ann) Berends; two brothers-in-law, Donald Zylstra and John (Diane) Zylstra; sister-in-law, Rita Van Drunen. She is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Claudia was preceded in death by her husband, David; parents, Edward and Wilma Berends; parents-in-law, Arthur and Kathryn Zylstra; brother, Edward (Leah) Berends; sister-in-law, Sandra Zylstra; and brother-in-law, Milton Van Drunen.

A memorial service to celebrate Claudia's life will be held at Oostburg CRC on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at 11:00am. A livestream of the service can be found by visiting wenig.live/ClaudiaZylstra. Visitation will take place at church on Tuesday, from 8:00am until the time of service.

A memorial fund is being established in her name to First Oostburg Christian Reformed Church.

Wenig Funeral Home of Oostburg (920-564-2771) is honored to serve the Zylstra family with arrangements. Please visit wenigfh.com for online condolences.