Terpstra, Nelson 1919-2001

TERPSTRA, HUYSER, VANDER BEEK

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 8/21/2005 at 16:18:11

SULLY - Nelson Terpstra, 81, of Sully, died Tuesday, May 15, at Mercy Hospital Medical Center in Des Moines.

His funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at First Reformed Church in Sully, the Rev. Bryce Hoyt officiating. Burial: Sully Cemetery, Sully, with military honors by Van Veen-Van Hemert American Legion Post No. 89. Friends and relatives are invited to return to the church basement following burial. Memorials: First Reformed Church, Sully. Visiting hours begin Friday morning at Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home in Pella, and will continue until 4 p.m. The family will greet friends 6:30-8 p.m. Friday at the First Reformed Church.

Nelson Terpstra was born Aug. 11, 1919, at his parents' farm home southwest of Sully, to Harry P. and Adrianna (Jennie) Huyser Terpstra. He attended Dairy Grove Country Grade School near his home. He began working on the farm with his father. In 1941 he was drafted into the United States Army.

On July 25, 1942, he married Pearl Luella Vander Beek in Artesia, Calif., where he was stationed at the time. He was stationed in New Guinea during World War II and was honorably discharged in 1945. He rejoined his wife in Sully where their three sons were born.

In 1946 Nelson became one of the original owners of the Community Lockers in Sully. He was active in the business the remainder of his lifetime. In 1984 he sold his interest in the business to his son, Warren, but continued working until this year. In March he was hospitalized at Pella Regional Health Center in Pella. He was transferred to Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines on April 30.

He attended Bethany Reformed Church near Sully at an early age, then joined First Reformed Church in Sully where he remained a member and taught Sunday school, served as a deacon and was a member of the Men's Brotherhood. He had been a member of the volunteer Sully Fire Department. He loved his grandchildren and enjoyed putting in his garden.

He is survived by three sons and two daughters-in-law: Warren D. and Alma Terpstra of Sully, Harvey P. Terpstra of Ames, and Douglas J. and Jaci Vander Wert Terpstra of Puyallup, Wash.; seven grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Corrie Terpstra of Sully; and his wife's family members: sisters Verna (Glenn) Elscott and Sylvia and Claris Van Genderen, and a sister-in-law Sara Rose (Abraham H.) Vander Beek, all of Sully.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter-in-law; two brothers and a sister-in-law: Cornie and Harrison and Marie Terpstra; and three nephews: Loren, Harlan and Harris Lee Terpstra.

The Oskaloosa Herald, May 17, 2001