Oostra, Ralph 1919-2007

OOSTRA, VANSURKSUM, VANDENOEVER

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - Volunteer (email)
Date: 9/9/2012 at 14:21:10

From the Sioux Center News of Aug 8, 2007
Ralph Oostra
Ralph Oostra, 87, of Hull died Monday, July 30, at the Pleasant' Acres Care Center in Hull.
Funeral service was Friday at 10:30 a.m. at Hope Christian Reformed Church' in Hull with the Rev. Todd Zuidema will officiate. Interment was at the Hope Cemetery in Hull.

Oostra was born on October 2, 1919, on a farm north of Hull, the son of John and Kate (Van Surksum) Oostra. He was raised at Hull, where he attended a country school. On February 7, 1941, he married Cynthia Vanden Oever in Hull. During World War II, he served in the United States Army Air Corps, including being stationed in North Africa. For much of their married life, the couple farmed one mile north of Perkins. He also did custom baling and for 25 years was employed at. Tri-State Livestock Auction in Sioux Center. In 1981, they moved into Hull. His wife died May 20, 1983, in Sioux Center, after 42 years of marriage. On November 23, 1984, he married Henrietta (Termaat) Vanden Oever in Holland, Michigan. They made their
home in Hull, but often spent summers in Michigan, where they worked at the Christian Reformed Conference Grounds in Grand Haven.

He was a member of Hope Christian Reformed Church, where he served on the consistory and was the custodian for four years. He was a member of the boards of directors of the Hull Christian School, Western Christian High School in Hull, the Hull Cooperative Elevator, the Sioux County Extension Service and the Sioux County Youth Fair. He was also active in the Wegrnan-Koele American Legion Post and served as a 4-H leader. He enjoyed family activities, as well as fishing and playing cards.

Survivors include'.his wife of more than 22 years; a daughter and her husband, Kathleen and Bernard Jacobsma of Luverne, Minnesota; two sons and their wives, Ronald and Carol Oostra of Sioux Center and Dean and Mary Oostra of Hull; nine stepchildren, Wanda (Fred) Schreur, Bev (Roger) Plagenhoef, Sharon, Graves, Perry (Sandy) Vanden Oever, Reya (Ken) Gerrits, Judy (Dave) Teater, Linda (Britce) Rossman, Lonna (Jim) Wiersma and Lori (Powell) Quiring; 15 grandchildren; 18 stepgrandchildren; 46 great-grandchildren; and eight brothers and sisters, Richard Oostra of Sioux Center, Mary .Grooters of Hull, Ruth Van Engen of Sioux Center, Gerald Oostra of Sheldon, Jacob Oostra of Rock Valley, William John Oostra of Winneconne, Wisconsin, Andrew " Oostra of Rock Valley and Robert Oostra of Hull.

He was also preceded in death by two grandchildren; three brothers, John, Marinus and another Andrew Oostra; and a sister, Berdina Van Maanen. Memorials may be directed to the Hope Christian Reformed Church Education Fund or the Hospice of Sioux County.