Docter, Andrew 1901-2000

DOCTER, VANDERMAATEN, REINSMA, DEBEER, JONKER

Posted By: Janet Brown, volunteer (email)
Date: 7/21/2013 at 15:23:29

From the N'west Iowa Review, November 20, 2000:

Andrew Docter
June 21, 1901-December 23, 2000

ORANGE CITY—Andrew Doctor, 99, Orange City, died Saturday, Dec. 23, at Heritage House Nursing Home in Orange City.

Services were Wednesday, Dec. 27, at First Christian Reformed Church in Orange City, with the Rev. Timothy Ouwinga and the Rev. Thomas Vanden Heuvel officiating. Burial was at West Lawn Cemetery in Orange City, under the direction of Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City.

Andrew Doctor, son of Jacob and Lillian (Vander Maaten) Docter, was born June 21, 1901, in rural Orange City. He graduated from Orange City Christian School and then began farming with his father.

He married Jeanette Reinsma on Jan. 17, 1926, in Orange City. They farmed near Orange City until 1964, when they moved into Orange City.

He was a substitute rural mail carrier for many years, including four years as full-time carrier during World War II.

Mrs. Docter died March 12,1971, in Orange City. He married Bertha (De Beer) Jonker on June 27,1972,in Orange City. They made their home in Orange City.

They moved to Pioneer Memorial Home in November of 1991. They transferred to Heritage House Nursing Home in December of 1996.

He was a lifelong member of First Christian Reformed Church, where he served many years as an elder, was active in the Men's Society and Choral Society, and twice served as a delegate to the Synod of the Christian Reformed Church.

He also served many years on the boards of directors of area Christian schools, including the Orange City Christian School, Western Christian High School in Hull and Dordt College in Sioux Center.

He enjoyed farming and was a member of the boards of directors of the local farm cooperatives. Music, reading, traveling and the activities and interests of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren enriched his life. His family gives thanks and praise to God for his long life.

Survivors include his wife, Bertha; a daughter, Delia and Alvin Jelgerhuis of Orange City; four grandchildren;, eight great¬grandchildren; five stepchildren, Arthur and Carolyn Jonker of Orange City, Elaine and Bernard Hietbrink of Bella Vista, AK, Wilfred and Gertrude Jonker of Rock Valley, Faye and Ken Pluim of Sioux Center, and Terry and Jan Jonker of Piano, TX; 14 step-grandchildren; 31 step-great-grandchildren; two step-great-great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Marge Hofmeyer of Orange City and Carrie Jonker of Mesa, AZ.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Jeanette Docter; a daughter, Lillian, 3 1/2; two great¬grandchildren, Christian Jelgerhuis and an infant; three sisters, Jennie Hubers, Gertrude Van Driel, and Arta Vander Zwaag; and three brothers, Arthur and two in childhood.

Memorials may be directed to local Christian education.