Pietertje Van Krieken

The Lord is my Shepherd. He leads me beside still waters. Psalm 23: 1,2 De Heere is mijn Herder. Hij voert mij zachtjes aan stille wateren. Miep (Pietertje) van der Hoeven Van Krieken, age 99, passed from life to eternal life, June 12, 2021 in Billings, Montana, U.S.A. Miep was born November 4, 1921, to Maarten van der Hoeven and Pietertje Lena Willemina Mollenbrok at home in Maassluis, The Netherlands. Her childhood was spent watching the merchant marine ships, including her father's, coming and going from the North Sea; playing on the beaches of South Holland, and living next door to her many, older cousins. She never lost her love for the sea or for fish. When the Germans blockaded the Dutch ports in 1940, her father was stranded in Scotland. Her mother, she and her sister Bep used the black market for food and other necessities. Miep worked as a nanny and a nurse during and after the war years. In October,1950, she met and married Anton Johannes Van Krieken in Maassluis. Anton (Han) soon returned to his native Indonesia. Miep followed in March, 1951, by ship and they settled on a tea plantation, managed by Han. As part of the thriving Indo (Dutch-Indonesian) culture, she developed a taste for Asian food. In May, 1952, their daughter Willy was born in Sumatra, Indonesia. In March, 1953, due to illness, Miep with Willy returned to her parents' home in Maassluis. Her and Anton's son Fred was born in May, 1953; Anton joined them all in Maassluis in late 1954; their son Eduard was born in 1956. The family then immigrated to the United States in late January, 1957, travelling by plane and train to Billings, Montana. Grace Methodist Church sponsored the family and a small Dutch community already in Billings welcomed them too. Their daughter Annette was born in 1958 in Billings. Miep and Anton raised their family, seeing all through high school and beyond. Miep was even one of Eduard's Cub Scout Den Leaders. The Van Krieken Greenhouses started in 1964 and continued until Anton's death in 2003. Miep loved the flowers and vegetables, spending many hours tending and selling them. Her own large flower garden was spectacular and with Annette's help, a constant joy. She often gifted friends with the vegetables and flowers she grew. Miep was also a Dutch trained seamstress and kept her hands busy knitting, crocheting and doing needlepoint, much to her family's delight. She enjoyed photography. Very outgoing, Miep never outgrew her Dutch accent or directness. She once said, "I don't understand why people say they don't understand me. I say it right!" Miep was active in Grace United Methodist Church, especially in the ladies' circle and greeting people as they entered the sanctuary. She loved to read, always growing her English vocabulary and knowledge. She returned to visit the Netherlands several times before the passing of her sister Bep (Elisabeth) in 2008. She also made a point to visit Willy, Fred, Eduard, and Annette in Washington, Oregon, and Canada. She was always up-to-date on world events from her "gezellige"(cozy) home where Dutch culture with a little Indonesian dominated. Her favorite breakfast was typically bread, cheese or jam, and tea. Later in life, she made dozens of cookies to go with her afternoon tea. She also made delicious tomato and chicken noodle soup. Miep loved animals. A cat or dog or two were always in the home. Miep was amazing and with her faith in Christ, she was a a survivor in many ways. Her children survive her. Willy (Wilhelmina Johanna) Van Krieken of College Place, WA; Fred Van Krieken (Ginny) of Portland, OR; Eduard Van Krieken (Carrie) of Billings, MT, and Annette (Antoinette) Greene (Scott) of Mount Vernon, WA. Her grandchildren are Jed Van Krieken of Olympia, WA, Lela Van Krieken and Angela Van Krieken of Billings, MT, and Gabriel Greene of Winthrop, WA. Her great grandchildren are Ava and Nevaeh of Billings, Cole of Olympia, James and Anjaleighta of Billings. She is also survived by her nephew Boudewijn N. Schmidt (Danuta) of Doetinchem, The Netherlands. Tot ziens. Until we meet again.