Wendy Margeret Overton Wiersma

Forever in Our Hearts

Wendy Margeret Overton Wiersma

March 18, 2025

Wendy(e) Margeret Overton Wiersma lived happily for 80 years of life. She was born on October 8, 1944, in Hull, England to Frank & Ivy Overton. She embarked on a solo journey to America as a young woman to start a new chapter in her life. This journey was a true testament to her strength and determination. There, she found love, friendship, and a lifelong partnership with her husband of 58 years, Pieter J Wiersma.

On their first wedding anniversary, Pieter was drafted in the U.S. Army and stationed in Germany where Pieter and Wende welcomed their first daughter, Juliet Mae Wiersma. Upon returning to the United States, they continued their adventures, living in Lancaster, Ohio, and in Salt Lake City, Utah, where they were blessed with their second daughter, Johanna Marie Wiersma. In Mt. Pleasant, Utah, they celebrated the arrival of their blue-eyed baby boy, Philip John Wiersma. Later the family cherished weekends at their vacation home in Paris, Idaho. Pieter & Wende moved to California to work in the Bay Area, lived in Felton, CA to be near the Santa Cruz beaches. Sitting on the beach enjoying fish & chips was Wende’s happy place. She always considers Magna, Utah, where they raised their family, to be their true home. Pieter and Wende happily retired in the warm climate of La Verkin, Utah.

Wende is a pure soul, a genuinely good-hearted person. She is truly one of a kind, rare and special. We remember Wende for her effortless love, kindness, compassion, and generosity. She lived her life always giving whether it was her time, her cooking, her heart or even the shirt off her back for someone in need. She was courageous, extremely intelligent, creative, artistic, independent, prideful, adventurous, and humble. A woman who overcame many challenges, she lived her life guided by her inner strength and goodness. With an enthusiastic sense of humor, she always brought laughter to those around her, even giving herself the playful nickname “Windy Wende.”

Wende had a deep love for animals and nature, the lady was crazy about squirrels. In her downtime, she found peace sitting on her deck or patio, listening to the sounds of birds, wind chimes, frogs, bees, and the flow of the pond her husband built for her. She enjoyed scenic drives, collecting rocks, squirls and Delftware, home remodeling, doing crafts such as scrapbooking and blanket making, reading tabloids and romance novels, watching Korean and English shows, and she would fast forward to her favorite scenes in “Days of Our Lives” and “Young and the Restless”.

Wende also loved cooking and baking for her family, friends, and neighbors. Her tarts and scones were legendary. She had a special fondness for delicious food, especially from Dutch and English bakeries. Everyone was always welcomed in her home and greeted with a table full of good treats.

Her world revolved around her family and her happiest moments were when they were all together. She was the “Best Mom” and an even greater grandmother. She cherished hearing her grandchildren gossip and her life experiences. We will always remember her yelling in her English accent, “PIETA.” Wende’s legacy will live on through her husband, children, grandchildren, and family as they continue to share in her many wonderful qualities and the memories they created together.

Wende is survived by her husband Pieter Johannes Wiersma, their children: Juliet May Wiersma Pedersen, Johanna Marie Wiersma Gillett, and Philip John Wiersma; along with her grandchildren: Jessika Ashley Rietveld Thurnher, Noah Calvin Gillett, Kaiden Philip Thomas Wiersma, Bailey Madison Gillett and Haley Ivy Ann Wiersma; son-in-law, Mark Gillett; daughter-in-law, Melanie Ferrell; grandson-in-law Ian Clark Thurnher; and special friend, Diane Marcy.

A private family memorial service has taken place. In memory of Wende the family kindly requests donations to the American Heart Association or The Asher House.

“Lots of Love XO”