Dorothea Geertruida Margaretha Rienstra-Wischhoff

Dorothea Geertruida Margaretha Rienstra-Wischhoff, 95, passed away peacefully on February 11, 2025, at home. She was born in The Hague, the Netherlands on March 25, 1929 to the late Franciscus Henricus Wischhoff and Anna Maria Rolufs. 

Dorothea is survived by her children; Bruce (Lauretta) Rienstra, Joanne (Carmen) Talerico, and Andrew (Kim) Rienstra; grandchildren, Katie (Jorrit) and Sophie (Joep), Sarah (Ben) and Kira; great grandchildren Teun and Niels, Tori and Michael, plus countless other family and friends. 

Dorothea was preceded in death by her brother Joop (Marijke) Wischhoff.

Dorothea grew up in The Hague, studied briefly in England, then immigrated from the Netherlands to the US (initially the Dayton area) in the late 1950’s later moving to Central Ohio in the mid-1960’s. 

Dorothea trained as secretary on returning from England in the mid-50’s brought her skills to the US where she continued to work well into her 70’s. Retirement meant she could help to raise a further two generations of grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

She was a nature lover, and spent her free time walking countless miles in parks and nature preserves. She rescued and cared for many dogs and cats, and made blankets for shelter animals later in life. 

Dorothea loved her church community, gave frequent transportation to friends, and dedicated 40+ years on the altar guild at St Edward’s. 

She truly lived a selfless life and made those around her feel so loved. 

Her funeral to honor an extraordinary life and woman will be held on Monday February 17 at 1pm, at St. Edward’s Episcopal Church in Whitehall. Casual dress.