Twila Achterhof, 70, of Union Grove, WI, passed away Saturday, February 22, 2025. A farm girl from Orange City, IA. She was born on June 9, 1954 and is the youngest of Harvey and Hilda Van Der Meide.
Twila graduated from MOC-Floyd High School in Orange City, IA in 1972. She received her Bachelors in Education from Northwestern College. After graduation she taught in New York and then moved to Illinois to teach at Elim Christian School. During her years teaching at Elim she met her future husband Jeff Achterhof. They wed on November 10, 1978 at Calvary Reformed Church in Orland Park, IL.
Twila along with Jeff raised 3 boys Drew, Blake and Kyle in Homer Glen, IL. They resided there for close to 30 years. In that time they attended Calvary Church in Lemont. They had a great community of friends that they shared life with and had many treasured moments. When they retired they moved to Union Grove, WI.
Twila’s greatest job was being a stay at home mom to her sons. Once the boys were older she went back into education as a librarian and secretary in District 92 at both Reed and Oak Prairie Schools.
In retirement Jeff and Twila were able to take several trips with close friends and family across the US including South Carolina and Alaska. The ultimate vacation was a dream trip of several weeks via a river boat tour in Europe including the Netherlands. Twila also loved going back home to Orange City, IA to enjoy the Tulip Time Festival. She was even known to sit through all six parades over the festival weekend. She really loved her Dutch heritage.
Twila is survived by her sons Drew (Colleen), Blake (Valerie), and Kyle; grandchildren Riley, Dylan, Lennon, Graysen; brother, Ron Van Der Meide; brother-in-laws, Doug (Gail) Achterhof and Russ Achterhof, and five nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Jeff of 45 years, parents Harvey and Hilda Van Der Meide, her brothers Verlyn and Leroy and her dear sister in law Carol Van Der Meide.
Our family extends our sincere gratitude to Hospice Alliance for their compassionate care. Please consider a donation to Hospice Alliance or your local hospice in memory of Twila.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, March 15th at Calvary Church (1375 State St, Lemont, IL 60439).
Visitation late morning with a Memorial Service and a luncheon to follow.
Tentative Service Schedule – Please check back for confirmed times.
