GORTER, Tena (Kelderman) 1925 -2010

GORTER, DROST, KELDERMAN, SANTEMA, LEMS, SPYKERBOER, BULLERMAN, FLYNN, STELLINGA, SHUTTER

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 11/3/2011 at 12:42:33

Tena Gorter was born to Henry and Tena (Drost) Kelderman on May 10, 1925 on a farm near Colton, South Dakota. As a young girl, she moved with her family to various farms in northwest Iowa where she attended a country school near Hull, Iowa through the eighth grade. Upon completion of her education, she lived with her family and started working for area families.

On January 17, 1947, she was united in marriage to Fred Gorter at her parents' home near Doon, Iowa. Following their marriage, they farmed near Ellsworth, Minnesota and later Jasper, Minnesota. In 1963, they moved their family north of Luverne, Minnesota and continued to farm while raising their children. After Fred retired from farming in 1988, they moved into Luverne. In 2004, they moved to Bethany Meadows senior living facility in Brandon, South Dakota.

On May 20, 2009, Fred preceded her in death. After his death, Tena continued to live at Bethany Meadows. On Friday, June 25, 2010, Tena suffered a heart attack while eating lunch. She was taken to Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota where she died that same day at the age of 85 years, one month and 15 days.

Tena was a charter member of the Christian Reformed Church in Luverne, Minnesota, where she was active in the church societies. She was also an active supporter of Southwest Christian High School. She enjoyed crocheting, embroidering, and cooking. While living on the farm, she enjoyed tending her flower and vegetable gardens. She also liked to travel. After Tena and Fred retired and moved into Luverne, they kept themselves busy working on crafts. Her pride and joy was her family, and she especially enjoyed the time she spent with her children, grandchildren, and five great-sons.

She is lovingly remembered by her son, Harold Gorter and his wife Ruth of Otley, Iowa, and their children Howard and Melissa of LaVergne, Tennessee, their children Lucas, Preston and Colin, Harley and Stacey Gorter of Clive, Iowa, and their son Henry, and Rachel Gorter of Otley, Iowa, and her fiance David Dick of McBain, Michigan; one daughter, Norma Santema and her husband Bob of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and their daughter Jessica and her husband Jason Porter of Canton, South Dakota, and their son Ryan; her son-in-law, Steve Bullerman of Burnsville, Minnesota, and his sons Patrick and Christopher; one brother, Don Kelderman and his wife Elaine of Doon, Iowa; three sisters, Jeanette Lems and her husband Garrett of Doon, Iowa, Priscilla Spykerboer of Ellsworth, Minnesota, and Wilmanette Spykerboer of Ellsworth, Minnesota; and two sisters-in-law, Grace Kelderman of Waverly, Iowa, and Audrey Kelderman of Rock Valley, Iowa.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred; her daughter, Beverly Bullerman; her grandson, Kelly Feikema; five brothers, Albert, Henry, Alvin, Lawrie, and Walter Henry who died as an infant; and three sisters, Wilma Flynn, Dorothy Stellinga, and Caroline Shutter.

Sources: Hartquist Funeral Home obit, and Doon Press of July 8, 2010.