Beyer, Gerrit 1911-2001

BEYER, VAN ZEE, STEENHOEK

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 8/21/2005 at 16:04:06

Gerrit Beyer, 90, of Oskaloosa, died Sunday, Sept. 2, at Mahaska Hospital.

His funeral service was held 1:30 p.m. today at Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Oskaloosa, Pastor Alvern Boetsma officiating. Burial: Graceland Cemetery, Pella. Memorials: Oskaloosa Christian Grade School. Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home in Pella was in charge of arrangements.

Gerrit Beyer was born July 31, 1911, to Arie and Marie Van Zee Beyer. He grew up on a farm north of Pella, and was educated in country grade school.

On Feb. 22, 1939, he married Bertha Steenhoek at the home of her parents near Prairie City. They began farming north of Pella. By Sept. 18, 1942, when the first of their five children was born, they had moved to a farm near Kirkville. Gerrit helped organize Cedar Christian Reformed Church. Later they moved to a farm near Prairie City; there Gerrit helped organize Prairie City Christian Grade School.

In 1952 they moved to a farm west of New Sharon. He continued farming until 1993. They continued living on their farm until this year, when they bought a home in Oskaloosa. He was a longtime member of Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Oskaloosa, where he had been a deacon and an elder and had taught Sunday school. He also was a member of the National Farmers Organization.

He is survived by his five children and spouses: Donna R. and Jim Clousing of Ludington, Mich., Arlo D. and Carol Huisman Beyer of New Sharon, Dennis G. and Vickie Beyer of Barnes City, Lavern B. and Marlene Garmon Beyer of New Sharon and Navonne R. Beyer-Sandbulte of Keokuk; 15 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; two sisters: Evelyn Mae (William) Rouw and Alta Marie (Arthur L.) De Raad; a brother and sister-in-law: Arthur John (Bob) and Elma Beyer, and another sister-in-law, Henrietta ( Everett Henry) Beyer, all of Pella.

He was preceded in death by a grandson, Scott Clousing; his parents; two sisters: Bertha Helena (William) Van Zee and Elizabeth Alice (Herman) Tuinstra; and a brother, Everett Henry Beyer.

The Oskaloosa Herald, September 5, 2001