Osinga, Sam 1917-2007

OSINGA, WOUDSTRA, VANGARRMERAN

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - Volunteer (email)
Date: 2/8/2010 at 14:22:45

SAM OSINGA
SIOUX CENTER, Iowa -Siebren "Sam" Osinga, 90, of Sioux Center died Sunday, Dec. 9, 2007, at Royale Meadows Care Center in Sioux Center.
Services will be 11 a.m. Friday at First Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Center, with the Klompien officiating. Burial will be in
Lebanon Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service Friday at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in Sioux Center. Condolences may be sent online to www.MFHonline.com.
Siebren "Sam" Osinga was born Oct. 19, 1917, one of eight children born to Michiel and Margje (Woudstra) Osinga in Friesland, The Netherlands. He attended Christian school and lived in the Netherlands until the age of 30. On Aug. 3. 1948, he immigrated to America and began working as a farm laborer.
He worked for the John Van Gammeran farm for a few years and fell in love with Mr. Van
Gammeran’s daughter, Johanna. They married on March 13, 1951 For a short time, he worked in a cheese factory in Hospers, Iowa. At times he found it difficult to communicate with others because of his Dutch language. The couple were blessed with two daughters. Maria and Margie.
He farmed five miles north and three quarters miles west of Sioux Center from 1951 to 1982. His wife, Johanna, died in 1975 from cancer. He later married Norma Rieffer on June 20, 1981. He retired from farming in 1982 and moved to Sioux Center in 1986. The couple enjoyed wintering in Texas. Norma preceded him in death on Jan. 4, 1993. He became a resident of Sioux Center Community Nursing Facility in 1997.
He was a longtime member of First Christian Reformed Church. He will be remembered for his love of singing Dutch hymns. He often recounted interesting stories of living in The Netherlands during World War II.
He is survived by two daughters, Mann Osinga and Margie Osinga, both of Minneapolis; a sister and brother. Sietske and Net, both of The Netherlands: four step-daughter, Leslie Thompson. Kay KuhI, Ann Hamilton and Kelly Rieffer; a stepson. Tim Rieffer and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his two wives. Johanna (Van Gammeran) and Norma (Rieffer); his parents; two sisters. Dirkje and Aukje: and three brothers. Douwe. Ids and an infant brother.
Source: Sioux City Journal: Dec, 2007