Wiersema, Elmer 1915-2002

WIERSEMA, DEVRIES, KREYKES

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - Volunteer (email)
Date: 3/7/2010 at 13:13:12

ELMER WIERSEMA
Elmer Wiersema, age 87, of Orange City, died Sunday, September 8, 2002, at the Heritage House Nursing Home in Orange City.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday, September 12, at 2:00 pm, at the First Reformed Church in Orange City. The Rev. Steven Vander Molen and the Rev. Cecil Martens will officiate. Burial will follow at West Lawn Cemetery in Orange City under the direction of the Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City.
Elmer was born February 6, 1915, in rural Orange City, the son of Eise and Johanna (De Vries) Wiersema. He was raised north of Orange City.
On April 7,1936, he married Jeanetta Kreykes at Orange City. They farmed at Middleburg, Sioux Center, and Orange City. He was also a carpenter. In 1968, they moved into Orange City where he was employed by the city street department. He also did much yard work for many people. Mrs. Wiersema died November 1, 1990, at Orange City.
In later years Elmer became a resident of the Pioneer Memorial Home and Park View Cottage, both in Orange City. In May, he transferred to the Heritage House. Mr. Wiersema was a member of the First Reformed Church, where he was funeral usher chairman for many years. He was a former member of the Free Grace Reformed Church in Middleburg, serving as a deacon on the consistory.
Mr. and Mrs. Wiersema were faithful visitors of shut-ins. He enjoyed woodworking and visiting with his family, especially the grandchildren.
Survivors include a son and his wife, Ivan and Darlene Wiersema of Cherokee; a daughter and her husband, Mary and Dale Wurpts of Orange City; a son-in-law and his wife, Larry and Lois Heemstra of Primghar; 14 grandchildren, Jerry Heemstra and his wife, Janet; Dennis Heemstra and his wife, Lori; Gregory Heemstra and his wife, Pat; Brian Wurpts; Timothy Wurpts and his fiancé, Alexandra Chambers; Kim Wurpts and her fiancé, Jeremy Kappenman; Kristi and her husband, Felix Avila; Jeremy Wiersema and his wife, Amanda; Jennifer and her husband, Keith Probst; Jaylene and her husband, James De Vos; Jerad DeVos and his wife, Terina; Heather and her husband, Cohn Youde; Arthur DeVos and his wife, Pam; and Kevin Karhoff and his wife, Kim; and 19 great-grandchildren.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Joann Heemstra; a grandson, Todd Heemstra; a sister, Ethel (Kraayenhrink) Vande Kamp; and a brother, John Wiersema.
Source: Local weekly newspaper after 9-8-2002