Huisman, Gerrit 1926-2010

HUISMAN, KROEZE, POPPEN

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/3/2010 at 19:25:20

Gerrit Huisman
July 16, 1926 – March 20, 2010
SACRED HEART — Gerrit Huisman, 83, of Sacred Heart, died Saturday at the RenVilla Nursing Home in Renville.
Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Emden Christian Reformed Church in Renville. The Rev. Jeff Vanderhooft will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Gerrit Huisman was born July 16, 1926, near Orange City, Iowa. He was the son of Jessie (Kroeze) and Herbert Huisman. He grew up in Orange City and attended the Newkirk School.
In 1950, he moved to Minnesota and farmed north of Montevideo with his brother William Huisman. He made confession of his faith at the Hope Reformed Church in Montevideo.
On Feb. 5, 1952, he married Ida Poppen at the Bethany Reformed Church in Clara City. They made their home in Hawk Creek Township, south of Sacred Heart, where they lived and farmed for 52 years.
He served on the local school board and was a school bus driver in the early 1960s.
In 1982, they became members of the Emden Christian Reformed Church in Renville. He has served his churches as an elder and deacon, taught Sunday School and the Bethel Series and enjoyed the socialization of weekly men’s Bible study.
He was one of the founding members of the area Rural Partners in Prevention mentoring program, connecting area children with community adults. In later years, he enjoyed working with the Crossroads Prison Ministry program and volunteered at the Bibles for Mission Thrift Store in Willmar. One of the highlights of each year was the family Bible camp at Alexandria.
He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather; enjoying gardening and playing table games with his family. An early riser, he spent time each morning in prayer for his family, friends, national leaders and any prayer needs. His life was a testament of his faith and God’s faithfulness.
He and his wife Ida were blessed with 58 years of marriage and two sons and two daughters.
He is survived by children: Harlen (and Pam) Huisman of Sacred Heart, Francine (and Charles) Spears of Duluth, Julie (and Steven) Peters of Faribault and Barry Huisman of Sacred Heart. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren: Chelsey Jo, Chloe and Holly Huisman of Sacred Heart; Jessica (and Jeremy) Butterfield of Boise, Idaho; Isaac, Samuel, Anna Rose, Rachel and Peter Spears of Duluth; Stefanie and Benjamin Peters of Faribault. Also surviving are three brothers: Kenneth (and LaDonna) Huisman of Orange City, Stanley (and Irene) Huisman of Phoenix, Ariz., and Marvin (and Helen) Huisman and sister Hildred (and Morris) VanderBerg of Orange City.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Jessie Huisman; a brother, William Huisman; and a sister, Etta VanSteenwyk.
Source: Dirks-Blem Funeral Home obit.