Leah Newhouse

Leah Newhouse passed away peacefully Saturday April 18th at the age of 95. She was born in Rotterdam, Netherlands on March 13, 1931, to Gerrit Van Hulst and Trijntje Storm Van Hulst. The first chapter of a life that would span continents, generations and nearly a century of remarkable living.

Leahs early life was shaped by extraordinary hardship. As a young girl, she survived the devastation of World War II in the Netherlands an experience that forever changed her and gave her a deep appreciation for life’s fineries. She would go on to become the last surviving member of her family of ten, carrying their memory forward through her stories, her strength and the beautiful life she built in the years that followed.

On October 17,1951 she married Harry Niewenhuyzen who had served as a Merchant Marine. Together they built a life defined by adventure, chance, love and perseverance. In 1953, the young family-now three with their infant son Ron-boarded a ship and crossed the ocean to start fresh in Ontario, Canada. A few years later their daughter Teresa was born in Canada. In 1960 seven years later they made another bold move to the United States, settling in Sandy, Utah where their third child Marsha was born in 1962.

On August 14,1967 Leah became a proud U.S. Citizen and at that time the family name “Nieuwenhuijzen” was changed to a much simpler last name “Newhouse”. A fitting symbol of a new chapter of identity and belonging.

Leah always made a nice home and created roots wherever they lived. Whether in Canada, Utah, Mesquite Nevada or the last 15 years in Peoa, Leah always had a gift for turning any house into a home. Her homes were always immaculate, warm, and a welcoming place beautifully kept and full of the flowers and plants that she adored. She dressed impeccably, had an eye for quality jewelry and fashion. Leah carried herself with a grace that impressed everybody who had the pleasure of meeting her. There were always many laughs and smiles when you went to see her.

Leah at her core was a woman who knew how to live. She and Harry traveled the world on cruises, explored new places and embraced every adventure. She never forgot her Dutch roots. The family found community in a Dutch club called AVIO, where heritage and tradition were kept alive among their Dutch friends. Summers were spent on trips to Lake Powell or Lake Mead. They traveled in their motorhome and Harry pulled his boat along named the “Kattle Binki”. Leah was the first to admit that camping wasn’t exactly her thing, but surrounded by the people she loved was her thing.

Leah had an infectious need for fun that was entirely her own. She was known to slide onto a video poker machine with the confidence of someone who expected to win and sometimes did, taking home big jackpots at the Casa Blanca, that she’d talk about with a gleam in her eye. On one evening she in fact won a brand-new red Ford Convertible Mustang that was her pride and joy for some time.

She adored Julio Igesias and Andrea Bocelli and loved to sing and dance to their music. She even insisted Harry take dance lessons with her because, as she saw it, his two left feet were simply not acceptable. Her advice was simple and timeless: “Everything in moderation” and she meant it. In the best possible way she was never too much or too little of anything. Always just the right amount of love and care.

Leah made sure the people she loved showed up for each other. Holidays were a joyful occasion she gathered her family together to celebrate with Dutch food and gifts from Sinterklaus. She was the kind women who always had a treat tucked away in the cupboard for her grandchildren and the kind of grandmother who had time to sit with you and listen to anything you needed to say.

Leah was fluent in Dutch and English, though the English came with practice. Harry had a playful method: He made her answer the phone, forcing her to engage with the language head on. It worked because everything Leah put her mind to do, she achieved.

Leah was blessed with 8 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.

Leah is survived by her Daughter Marsha Wadsworth who will carry forward her legacy. She was preceded in death by her husband Harry, son Ron and daughter Teresa, her parents Gerrit and Trijntje Van Hulst, Brothers Arent, Franz , George, Armond and sisters Joanne, Connie, and Trudy a large family with a lot of heritage.

Though she was the last of her immediate family, she was never alone. She built a legacy of resilience, courage and deep enduring love.

Services for Leah Newhouse will be held Tuesday April 28th at the North Bench cemetery in Oakley. 5502 North 100 West Oakley. A graveside service will start at 12:00 PM at the cemetery followed by a celebration of life luncheon at the Red Barn in Oakley. 4300 North. State Road 32 Oakley.

If sending Flowers please send to Crandall’s Funeral Home. 105 East Center Street, Kamas Utah