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Conradi, Jikke Ubelina Sijke Wilhelmina Veenland (1872-1972)
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1972 Jun 29 p. 11
Birth date: 1872 Apr 12
Death date: 1972 Sep 12 at Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
Place of Burial: Damwoude (Algemeen)
text of obituary:
CONGRATULATING Mrs. Conradi (center) at Elspeet Mennonite Retreat Center are Mrs. Dien (Veendorp) Meijer, her step-granddaughter (left), and Dr. J. T. Nielsen pastor of the Leeuwarden Mennonite Church.
Delivered More Than 5,000 Babies
AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands. — The internationally-known Dutch Mennonite retreat center at Elspeet provided the setting for a dinner and service of praise at the occasion of the 100th birthday celebration of Mrs. Jikke U. S. W. Conradi of Leeuwarden on Apr. 12.
A retired Dutch Mennonite midwife, she delivered more than 5,000 babies in her lifetime. Among the 25 persons present was Dr. J. T. Nielsen, pastor of the Leeuwarden Mennonite Church, of which Mrs. Conradi is a member.
One of Mrs. Conradi's "babies," Kees Hulzinga, now post office inspector in Groningen, took part in the service of praise. Also participating were the centenarian's two children, Pieter J. Conradi, a retired hydraulic engineer, and Mrs. Fem Veendorp, step-mother of Gary Veendorp, Newton, Kan., assistant editor of the Review, as well as her two grandsons.
A step-granddaughter of Mrs. Conradi, Mrs. Dien Meijer and husband Dolf of Amsterdam, sang a self-composed nine-verse song based on the life story of the centenarian. There are seven great-grandchildren.
TO GIVE her many friends opportunity for personal congratulations, a reception was held at the Euro-Hotel in Leeuwarden. Among the 175 persons present were the mayor and alderman of the city, as well as Rev. R. Gaaikema, co-pastor of the Leeuwarden Mennonite Church.
A third commemoration coincided with the 100th anniversary of the Royal Dutch Organization for Horticulture and Botany (KNMTP), when the Leeuwarden chapter selected Mrs. Conradi to assist with the planting of a 20-year-old American oak in the downtown area of the city.
In addition to being a centenarian, Mrs. Conradi was chosen for this occasion to help pay tribute to her son-in-law, the late Hesso Veendorp, who was an honorary member of the national KNMTP. He was the father of Gary Veendorp of the Review staff. Approximately 60 persons attended the ceremony.
CONGRATULATORY letters received by Mrs. Conradi included one from Queen Juliana and one from the director of the School for Midwives in Rotterdam, where she graduated in 1895. The Leeuwarden Mennonite Church presented its oldest member a large basket filled with flowers, plants, fruits, fruit juices, chocolate candy and cookies.
Born on April 12, 1872 at Jubbega-Schurega, Jikke Veenland was married to Egbert Johannes Conradi of Zwaagwesteinde in 1897, later a postmaster at Murmerwoude, who died in 1922.
Leeuwarden, capital of the province Friesland, now has four centenarians and a 102-year-old resident among its 80,000 population. Oldest resident of the Netherlands is 108 years of age.
Occasionally, Mrs. Conradi still attends services at the Leeuwardin Mennonite Church, walks with her daughter, knits and prepares meals.
HIGHLIGHTS of her more than 55-year practice as a midwife at Dantumadeel included some 15 pairs twins and two sets triplets and helping to bring seven babies into the world within a 24 hour period. A tape recording of her practice highlights was broadcast on a special anniversary nation-wide radio program on May 22.
Commenting on her experiences in a recent interview, Mrs. Conradi said, "I've always found much satisfaction in my work. It was a responsible but thankful task. If I had to live my life again I would select the same profession."
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1972 Oct 5 p. 7