Obituary of Odete Helena VanHerwaarden

Odete Helena Harms VanHerwaarden

June 26, 1942 to October 8, 2023

“Dettie”

“Oma”

“Mom”

Odete died unexpectedly Oct 8, 2023, surrounded by her family at NCMC in Greeley Colorado. She was 81 years old, born June 26, 1942, in Carambei Brazil to Joao Henrique and Rosinha Harms.

Odete graduated from Ginasio De Sao Jose with an associate level degree in Castro Brazil.  A short time later, she met her husband Jacobus “Co” VanHerwaarden and married him, the love of her life, on July 8th, 1964. Co and Odete celebrated 59 years of marriage this past summer.  In November of 1965, the two of them decided that the United States was the place to pursue their dream and packed up their newly born daughter Christina and had a second daughter Rosalie shortly after arriving in the States in 1968.  Odete and Co built an Automotive business together here in Northern Colorado where Odete used her math talents as the Controller for Co’s International Motors and Limon Chrysler Dodge Jeep.

Odete loved to cross-stitch and made many beautiful pieces for her family and friends.  They hang on the walls in her home and the walls of her children and grandchildren.  Flowers and sunsets were Odete’s favorite things, and she loved to photograph them.  You could often find her walking the neighborhood taking pictures of the beautiful flowers on the way, canning fruit from her peach and apple trees, or reading in the backyard.

There was nothing more important to Odete than her family.  She was so loving and compassionate and never missed an opportunity to hold her grandchildren and great grandchildren or give her family and friends a great big hug.  She enjoyed yearly visits to Brazil to see her brothers, sisters and their families and spent several months a year in her Brazil home on the ocean, swimming and watching the waves.

Odete loved to travel and had the opportunity to see many countries, including Africa, Russia and many countries in Europe and of course South America.

Odete is survived by her spouse Jacobus VanHerwaarden, daughter Christina Dawkins,

Grandchildren: Kaylie Poehlmann, Jordan Angus, Aundrea Dawkins, Christopher Dawkins

Great Grandchildren: Mason Weber-Dawkins, Cleo Loughridge, Lucas Andrade

Brothers and sisters: Hennie Harms, Charlotte Katsman, Rosalyn DeBest, Aurtur Harms

Pre-deceased family: Rosalie VanHerwaarden, daughter

Parents Joao Henrique and Rosinha Harms,

Brothers and sisters: Emmy Jacoby, Tonny Harms, Waldeno Harms

Odete's Life Celebration will be held at Cornerstone Community Church 1321 9th Ave Greeley Colorado October 17, 2023 at 11:00 am with a reception following the service.  Interment will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, donations are accepted for Lydia Hope Lives in care of Adamson Life Celebration Home.

Friends may send condolences to the family at adamsoncares.com.

The service will be live streamed at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuSfjtlcMXY