Corry Kruip was the eldest of five children, born to Harrie and Marie Hoefnagels on March 9, 1929 in Roermond, Holland.  She was a young girl when the Nazis invaded Holland in 1939.  Prior to the invasion as a young school child, she was forced to listen to Hitler speak during a public demonstration in her local town and was within yards of him, as well as some of his top generals, including Hermann Goering.  During the war, Corry was forced to live with other women in the basements of her city until she was sent to a concentration/work camp where she learned to hate the cold, fear the dark and the noses of German Shepherds.
   When the Netherlands was liberated in 1945, Corry met the love of her life, Gerard Kruip.  Corry’s mother, thrilled to be back in her own home, would invite soldiers of the liberating army to join them for dinner.  Gerard, also a Dutch national was from Lichtenvoorde, Holland.  He escaped a work camp during the war to join the Canadian Army.  The two saw each other on the street before one of these dinners and fell in love at first sight.  They formally met and ended up marrying and emigrating to the United States with the help of pen-pals, Shirley and Earl Bombach.
   Corry and Gerard settled in Fullerton, California.  One of Corry’s proudest moments was when she and Gerard became American citizens.  They greatly appreciated America’s involvement in World War II and they never forgot how fortunate they were to find a new home outside of war torn Europe.
   Corry and Gerard had five children and experienced Orange County at its finest.  Gerard worked for Walt Disney at the time he was opening Disneyland and Corry got to know Walt well.  She often told humorous stories of Walt and was proud to be part of that history.
   When Gerard died in 1975, Corry went to work for the first time out of her home.  She succeeded in becoming the manager of a five star restaurant (Five Crowns) and earned the respect of all her employees.  Corry remarried to Mark Seifert with whom she was married to for almost two decades until Mark passed away in 2014.
   Corry not only lost two husbands but she also lost three of her four sons.  Yet, she never lost her optimistic viewpoint and her “joie de vivre” (joy of life).  Corry never looked back.  She always looked at the bright side of life and embodied a positive attitude. She was a shining example of grace and fortitude to all of her loved and to anyone that was fortunate enough to know her.
   Ten years ago, Corry moved to Lathrop/Manteca to be closer to her only daughter and she was quickly embraced by the Dell’Osso family and the residents of Lathrop.  Corry was an integral fixture of Lathrop life.
   Corry is preceded in death by her mother, father and four siblings.  She is also preceded by her husband Gerard, second husband Mark Siefert, and sons, Peter, Paul and Philip.  She is survived by her son Marc (and Gina) and daughter Susan (and Ron) and nine grandchildren (including Sophie who helped her immensely) and four great grandchildren.  She is also survived by her best friend and companion, Mercy Park who had been by her side for the last five years. 
   A true Celebration of Life will be held for Corry on Saturday, February 25th, from 2-5 p.m. at Susan and Ron Dell’ Osso’s home, 26 W. Stewart Road, in Lathrop.  All those who would like to honor Corry are welcome to come.

Lathrop
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Friday, February 17, 2017