Romkema, James L. 1955-2013

ROMKEMA, TJEEDSMA, WEISS

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/28/2013 at 11:10:32

JAMES L. ROMKEMA
December 8, 1955 - April 22, 2013

Dr. James Romkema, age 57, of Orange City, passed away on Monday, April 22, 2013, in rural Orange City.

There will be a funeral service on Saturday, April 27, at 1:00pm, at Living Water Community Church in Orange City. The Rev. Jason Van Wyk, the Rev. Jonathan Opgenorth, and the Rev. Raymond Weiss will officiate. There will be a graveside service on Saturday, at 5:00pm, at Emmanuel Reformed Cemetery in Springfield, South Dakota.

James Leroy was born on December 8, 1955, in Tyndall South Dakota, the son of Raymond and Phyllis (Tjeerdsma) Romkema. He was raised in Springfield, attended Logterman Elementary School, and graduated from Springfield High School. He made his confession of faith on June 13, 1977 at Emmanuel Reformed Church in Springfield, South Dakota.

He attended Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa and received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Iowa State University in 1986.

On June 28, 1979, he married Barbara Jean (Weiss) at Trinity Reformed Church in Orange City. They made their homes in rural Minnesota and rural Iowa. They most recently lived in Orange City, where he was a large animal veterinarian with the Orange City Veterinary Clinic.

Jim enjoyed vacationing with his family, raising cattle, gardening, rock climbing, camping, playing board games, and woodworking. His family will remember his steadfast faith, quiet strength, generosity, humor, and devotion to friends and family.

Survivors include his wife of more than 33 years, Barb; four children, Craig Romkema, of Orange City; Erica Romkema, of Efland, North Carolina; Elena, and her husband, John Ballam, of Cary, North Carolina; and Christopher Romkema, and his wife, Kimberly, of Omaha, Nebraska; his mother, Phyllis Romkema, of Springfield; and four brothers and a sister, Gary Romkema and Jay Romkema, both of Springfield; Joleen Romkema, of Chamberlain, South Dakota; Terry Romkema, of Avon, South Dakota; and Paul Romkema, of Springfield.

He was preceded in death by his father, Raymond Romkema.

Source: Oolman Funeral Home, Orange City, IA., obit.