Anita Roos February 14, 1939 - August 19, 2026

On August 19, 2026, Anita (Maliepaard) Roos of Turlock, California was joyously ushered by her Lord into His eternal presence, just 10 days after her 69th wedding anniversary to John Roos, her devoted husband. She wasn’t afraid to die but was assured of her place in glory and earnestly looked forward to meeting her Lord.

Born February 14, 1939 in Hanford, CA, Anita’s parents Leendert and Marie Malipaard moved the family soon after to Salida, CA where Anita spent most of her childhood. She was the oldest of 6 children. Though Salida was the farm’s location, Ripon, CA was very much the center of their social, church and educational activities. When Leendert passed away suddenly while Anita was 14 years old, the family moved into Ripon itself. Anita graduated from Ripon Christian High School in 1957. Soon after she married John Roos. They lived initially in Salida, then settled into the River Junction area of Manteca, dairying with John’s brother Maurice until 1974. From there, they did the unthinkable, moving away from the Dutch center of family and friends in Ripon to El Nido, a small farming community south of Merced, CA where they farmed 1,200 acres of row crops on Coyote Road & Highway 152. In 1979 they moved north again settling finally in the Turlock area where they farmed almonds.

Family was always at the center of Anita’s life. Anita was a loving homemaker, mom, always intent on serving her immediate family’s needs and supporting her husband’s ventures. Coffee was always a staple in the Dutch community and in Anita’s life, day or night. Numerous family & friend gatherings were seemingly centered around coffee. The day prior to her passing, Anita rallied, and her most earnest desire was a cup of coffee. She got it.

Anita loved seeing each of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Until recent years, she remembered each birthday with a card. Anita was always known for being outgoing, friendly and welcoming, making friends easily. She was gracious though determined. She loved spending time with her friends, camping in Yosemite and Pinecrest, playing cards or Dominos. She was a talented bowler playing in various leagues and she had a passion to sing. The Dutch heritage of ours loves to harmonize.

She did that well joining with various singing groups like the Sweet Adelines or as an ever-present member of church choirs. Probably most notable was Anita’s love for knitting and crocheting, doing crossword puzzles or reading. Earliest memories found her sitting in her various preferred locations knitting or crocheting, or doing her puzzles or reading. It is not known how many afghans, blankets, baby blankets, hats, mittens, etc. she made and gave away – but it is in the hundreds surely. Some of the grandchildren and great grandchildren still cherish their Oma blankets, even some of the oldest still sleep with them. When the boys were older, Anita began to work outside the home as a receptionist for several businesses, doctor’s offices and the church office. As long-time members of Monte Vista Chapel (46 years), Anita and John served together as a part of the Mission Send Team, supporting and traveling at times to visit missionaries in various places in
the world. Anita was a faithful supporter for 30 years of the Westside Ministry in Turlock as well as an offering counter at church for the same number of years.

Anita is survived by her husband John Roos; six boys: Tomas Layne (Kim) Roos, Vincent John (Carolyn) Roos, Daniel Wayne (Lanette) Roos, Alan Lee (Jenny) Roos, Troy Eldon (Ginger) Roos and Brian Keith Roos; twenty grandchildren and twenty-one great grandchildren (with two more great grandchildren on the way); siblings Nancy King, Leonard Maliepaard, and Pat (Dan) Van Groningen. She was preceded in death by her parents Leendert and Marie Maliepaard, and her sisters Joyce (Harold) Van Till and Marilyn (Bill) Adams and many dear friends she has loved.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, September 4th at Monte Vista Chapel in Turlock, CA. A lunch and time of fellowship will follow. Interment will be on later date at the Veteran’s San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery in Santa Nella, CA.