(Dec. 13, 2016 - by Harold Goerzen)  Winona J. Beukema of Norwich Township, Mich., died on Saturday, Dec. 10, surrounded by her loved ones. She and her late husband, Robert “Bob,” served with Reach Beyond a total of 41 years before retiring in the U.S. in 1989. She was 91.

“Her health started declining a couple of months ago, and in the last few weeks her health deteriorated rapidly,” wrote her daughter Carolyn Wanky.

“We are so thankful that she had enjoyed 91 years of strength and generally good health and that there was not a protracted illness,” Wanky continued. “She was able to see each of her five children in the last couple of months and ended her time on earth at the home of her daughter Sue on the land she loved.”

Born on Aug. 4, 1925, in Big Rapids, Mich., Winona was the daughter of John and Reva (Sawyer) Westover and graduated from Big Rapids High School in 1943. Winona then attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago where she met her husband, Bob, and they were married on Aug. 21, 1948.

A year later the Beukemas arrived in Ecuador to serve as missionaries with Reach Beyond before they had any children. They later served with HOXO in Panama. Bob was known for his resonant radio voice and was often referred to as the “Voice of the Andes.” He served primarily in radio and television programming, music and administration.

The Beukemas lived in many places, but Big Rapids was always home. Winona was a member of First Baptist Church of Big Rapids as well as Wealthy Park Baptist Church in Grand Rapids, Mich. She loved to work outside in the woods and spent much time caring for her yard and garden.

Winona was preceded in death by her husband, Bob, of 52 years. He died on April 27, 2001. She is missed by two sons, Ronald and Steven; three daughters, Sue Ann, Anita and Carolyn; as well as 12 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service is set for 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14, at First Baptist Church in Big Rapids.

Sources: Reach Beyond, Mohnke Funeral Home