Jenny Vansyen

Jenny Anna Kreulen VanSyen, 99, of Independence, MO died Thursday, November 10, 2011. She was born March 7, 1912 of Dutch parents in Batavia, Java, Indonesia, then known as the Dutch East Indies. Jenny was a prisoner of war three years in Indonesia during World War II. As a youth, Jenny also lived in China, the Netherlands and England. She was fluent in many languages. After the war, she and her daughter, Andrea, immigrated to the United States, becoming a citizen in 1955. She was a devoted member of the Community of Christ Church for more than 52 years. She trained as a Licensed Practical Nurse in Salt Lake City, graduating at the top of her class. She worked for many years at the Independence Sanitarium and Hospital in Independence before retiring in 1974. Jenny was married to Folkert VanSyen on December 23, 1936 in Sukabumi, Java, Indonesia. She was preceded in death by her parents Roelof Anton Kreulen and Dina Wilhelmina Dorothea Valentin, her brother, Roelof Anton “Tony” Kreulen, Jr., and her daughter, Andrea VanSijen-Phillips. Survivors include her six grand children: Kathryn Hernandez, St. Joseph, MO, Jenyfer Simmerman, Clinton, MO, Ronald Phillips, Independence, MO, Mitchell Phillips, Harrisonville, MO, Nancy Wallace, Independence, MO and Jonathan Phillips, Richmond, MO, 19 great grand children and eight great-great-grandchildren.