Johanna Catharina (van de Ven) Reap

Johanna Catharina (van de Ven) Reap

Born 21 November 1937 to Wilhelmus Josephus van de Ven and Grada Maria (van Lith) van de Ven in Eindhoven, Netherlands.

In her earliest years Annie experienced the occupation of the Netherlands and her hometown by the Germans in World War Two. She was almost seven years old when in late September 1944 Paratroopers from the 101st Airborne Division seized and liberated Eindhoven during Operation MARKET GARDEN, a memory she and her brothers carried and carry, their entire lives. For her first communion, her dress was made of parachute silk from the liberation force. Her memories of her youth in post-World War II Netherlands were fond, and colored by family, rebirth, and growth. Her brothers recall her being reasonably spoiled by their mother, and she never seemed to run out of her allowance to attend local festivals, so long as she was able to visit her dad at work!

Having completed her studies and after early years of employment in a linen factory, she met and dated her future husband Michael, who was an F-104 mechanic at Hahn AFB in West Germany. In 1963 they wed, and moved to Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania. A year later she started her career in motherhood with the birth of a son, followed by a daughter, another son, and another daughter. With four children by the spring of 1970, Johanna was full-time mom and embarked on the path of being the greatest mother, grandmother, and great grandmother ever as voted by each child, grandchild, and great grandchild. Generations of her offspring flourished through her kindness, selfless care, truthfulness, humor, and faith. She guided each of her family through examples of integrity and honor, and love for family, with endearing easiness and love, conveyed in word and deed, with a sparkle in her crystal blue eyes, always a smile on her face, and a heart of gold.

She is preceded in death by her parents, brothers Marinus “Rinie” van de Ven and Jan van de Ven, son-in-law Jimmy Rodriguez, and former husband Michael Reap.

And she is survived by: Vincent (and Stephanie) Reap, Kathleen (and Michael) Shenk, Michael (and Rose) Reap, and Cynthia Rodriguez

Grand Children: Benjamin Yeager, Steven Yeager, Donaven and Heather Rodriguez, Derrick and Kacy Shenk, Inessa and Jereme Heisey, Kristina and Casey Neiman, Amanda Reap, Elizabeth Reap

Great Grandchildren: Riley Groff, Amyia Heisey, Brodie Rodriguez, Chance Heisey, Remi Shenk, McCoy Yeager, Bryce Shenk, and Genevive Yeager

Brothers: Albert (and Riet) van de Ven; Jac van de Ven, and leaves behind many extended family members in the Netherlands and United States.

A private interment will be held with immediate family. There will be no public services. A Mass at St. James Catholic Church will be offered in her name.