Obituary of Nellie Reynolds

Nellie (Neeltje) Hellinga Reynolds Born 7-8-18 in Grand Rapids, MI Resident of Diamond Springs, CA for the past 42 years. Nell was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan as a 2 1/2 pound preemie, surviving the flu epidemic of 1918. She spent her childhood living in Grand Rapids, Michigan. At the age of 12, she lost her beloved mother and unborn baby brother due to her mother taking a fall down the basement stairs. Eventually, she was forced to drop out of school after completing her 8th grade year to help raise the younger children while her dad worked. Her father came to Alameda, CA for work and the children were sent to relatives to live for a period of time. At 16, Nellie and her four younger siblings boarded a train in Michigan. With only some sandwiches, what little clothing they had, a small amount of emergency money, and made the trek to California. She continued to care for the children, cooking, cleaning, doing laundry and maintaining the family home her dad had found for them. Nellie was able to attend beauty school as she continued caring for the family home, her strict father and brothers. In 1947 she met the love of her life, Frank Reynolds a sailor, while she was cashiering in the cafeteria at the Alameda Naval Air Station. One of her first questions to him when he finally approached her was...... "Do you go to church?" (His answer was no, but I will go with you!) Only then would she consider a date with him. They married in 1948 and have been married for 69 years. Three years later they adopted their first child a daughter, Donna at 5 days old. Twelve years later they adopted their son, Paul at 4 1/2 months and the following year they adopted another daughter, Lisa at 13 months of age. Nell was an excellent seamstress, enjoyed macramé and volunteering at the Cancer Society. She enjoyed serving lunches at the Lion's Club, bringing her granddaughter, Rachelle to help, as well as her volunteer work at her church over the years. She and Frank enjoyed traveling, cruising and they were fortunate to be able to go on many other trips with their motor home over the years. Vacations or trips to the ocean were some of her favorites. Her faith was strong throughout her life beginning at the Dutch Christian Reformed Church in Michigan as a little girl and finally at Light Of The Hills Lutheran Church in Cameron Park, CA The last three years she was cared for by Luda Palamarchuk, her family and staff at Fair Oaks Home Care. There, she was able to reside in dignity and always received outstanding, loving and gentle care. Nell's family is eternally grateful to Luda, Paul, Richard, David, Christina, Ina, Nadia, Lucy and Cera. Parents were Ralph and Wilhelmina Hellinga, siblings - William Hellinga, Katherine Moulyn, John Hellinga and Richard Hellinga, all deceased. She is survived by her husband Frank of 69 years, daughter Donna Joldersma of Lubbock, TX, son Paul Reynolds Palm Springs, predeceased by her daughter Lisa Reynolds Schiffner, three grandchildren Mike Bearden of Sonora, Laura Bearden Sappington of Martinez and Rachelle Schiffner of Lubbock, TX, 7 great grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be held 12:30 pm at Westwood Hills Cemetery 2720 Cold Springs Road, Placerville, CA. Officiated by Pastor Robert Jones from Light of the Hills Lutheran Church, Cameron Park, CA