DeWit, S. Harold 1928-2012

DEWIT, SNIEDER, JACOBSMA

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - Volunteer (email)
Date: 8/14/2012 at 07:20:14

S. Harold De Wit
10/30/1928 - 08/09/2012
Mr. Harold De Wit, age 83, of Hull, passed away on Thursday, August 9, 2012, at the Sioux Center Community Hospital and Health Center.
There will be a memorial service on Monday, August 13, at 2:00pm, at the First Christian Reformed Church in Hull. The Rev. Carl Klompien and the Rev. Stephen De Wit will officiate. Interment will be prior to the service at the Hope Cemetery in Hull.
Stephen Harold was born on October 30, 1928, in rural Rock Valley, the son of Albert and Alice (Snieder) De Wit. He was raised in the Carmel and Perkins areas, attending school in Perkins and Hull. He graduated from the Western Christian High School in Hull.
On October 16, 1950, he married Theresa Jacobsma in Rock Valley. They made their home on the family farm just south of Perkins, where Harold lived for 78 years. He farmed until 1980.
His life took a new direction after serving on the board of trustees of Dordt College in Sioux Center during the early 1970’s -- a particularly difficult time for the college. He became a fund raiser and public relations representative for Dordt. For nearly 35 years, he and Theresa traveled much of the United States and Canada for the college. Many of Harold’s richest relationships were cultivated in this capacity, especially among college supporters on the west coast and in Canada. He was a member of the First Christian Reformed Church, where he served on the consistory as a deacon. He was also served on the board of directors of Western Christian and assisted in their fund raising campaign in the 1990s.
He thoroughly enjoyed farming. He liked wood working -- especially making things for the grandchildren. Mr. and Mrs. De Wit did a lot of traveling and looked forward to spending time with their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife of more than 61 years; three children and their spouses, Verlyn and June De Wit, of Sioux Center; Eloise and Gary Sikma, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and Dan and Kathy De Wit, of Hull; eight grandchildren, Shannon Schreurs, Cara De Haan, Tessa Stob, Stephen De Wit, Christin Milbradt, Dustin Warntjes, Cory De Wit, and Teresa De Wit; three step-grandchildren, Jessica Van Essen, Erica Sikma, and Kayla Huyser; sixteen great-grandchildren, five step-great-grandchildren; three sisters, Margaret, and her husband, Johnny Meendering; Stephena Vander Werff, and Betty Vande Griend; five brothers-in-law, Ed Dokter, Pete Jacobsma, Del Kuhl, Adrian In’t Veld, and Larry Jacobsma; and four sisters-in-law, Catherine De Wit, Grace Jacobsma, Gladys Jacobsma, and Clare Kuhl.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Rodney De Wit; a grandson, Jonathan Warntjes; a brother, John Elmer De Wit; a sister, Adrianna Dokter; two brothers-in-law, Jake Jacobsma, and Cornie Vander Werff; and a sister-in-law, Fran In’t Veld.
Source: Oolman Funeral Home, Hull, IA., obit.