VanDonkelaar, Gerrit 1941-2010

VANDONKELAAR, DEKOTER, SINCLAIR

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/23/2010 at 11:31:27

Gerrit Van Donkelaar
April 3, 1941 - June 16, 2010
Mr. Gerrit Van Donkelaar, age 69, of Maurice, passed away on Wednesday, June 16, 2010, at his residence, surrounded by family and friends.

There will be a funeral service on Monday, June 21, at 10:00am, at the First Reformed Church in Maurice. The Rev. Mark Haverdink will officiate. Interment will follow at the Sherman Township Cemetery near Maurice.

Gerrit was born on April 3, 1941, in Maurice, the oldest of seven children born to Herman and Christina (De Koter) Van Donkelaar. He was named after both grandfathers. He was born and lived in Maurice until 1958, when his family moved to Sioux Center. There he played basketball from 1958 to 1960; the team being state champions in 1959.

On May 11, 1962, he married Lylis Irene Sinclair in Rock Rapids. Shortly after their marriage, they settled in Sioux Center, where he was a mechanic at Ver Hoef Chevrolet for almost 40 years. In 1986, they moved to an acreage on the north edge of Maurice. He still worked in Sioux Center, but retired in 2000, because of poor health.

In Sioux Center, Mr. Van Donkelaar was a member of the First Reformed Church and an assistant Boy Scout leader. In Maurice, he was a member of the First Reformed Church, the Booster Club, and the Fire Department. He also served several terms on the city council.

He enjoyed all sports, playing slow pitch softball until age 51 and watching all the National Basketball Association games. He liked mowing his lawn on his John Deere tractor, watching nature from his window where he had several bird feeders, planting trees, and working on cars. He loved the family time spent with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife of 48 years; five children and their spouses, Melissa and Tony Johnson, of Sheldon; Marnee and E. J. Miedema, of Hospers; Gerrit "Gary", Jr., and Cherie Van Donkelaar, of Maurice; Greg and Vicki Van Donkelaar, of Orange City; and Dave and Margret Van Donkelaar, of Maurice; a former son-in-law, Keith Reisma, of Bryant, Arkansas; nineteen grandchildren, Michael Reisma, and his wife, Andrea; Stephanie, and her husband, Jason Kreber; Mark Reisma, and his friend, Katelyn Read; Savannah Johnson; Zachary Gerrit and Tanner Meidema; Collin, Christa, Caylee, Ciana, and Candra Van Donkelaar; Jesse Vander Bush; Alex, Autumn, Arianna, and Avery Van Donkelaar; and Kylie, Eva, and Trinity Van Donkelaar; two great-grandchildren, Genesis Winter and Andi Jo Reisma; a brother, Bob Van Donkelaar, of Remsen; four sisters, Carol, and her husband, Junior Van’t Hul, of Rock Valley; Nancy, and her husband, Dave Heronimus, of Milford; Deb Van Donkelaar, of Sioux Center; and Marcia, and her husband, Steve Morphew, of Ridge, Tennessee; two brothers-in-law, Jordy Zeutenhorst, of Rock Valley; and Duane Sinclair, of Glenwood; many nephews and nieces; and special friends, Paul and Darnell Clark, and their children, Dusty, Jasmine, and Olivia.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Sharon Zeutenhorst, and a nephew, Nathan May.
Source: Oolman Funeral Home obit.