Wiersma, Gertrude 1918-2008

WIERSMA, KROEZE, SIEBERSMA

Posted By: Janet Bosler - Volunteer (email)
Date: 9/22/2013 at 23:01:50

Oolman Funeral Home After January 2, 2008

Born: 12-17-1918
Died: 1-2-2008

Mrs. Gertrude Wiersma, age 89, of Orange City, passed away on Wednesday, January 2, 2008, at the Heritage House Nursing Home in Orange City.

There will be a funeral service on Saturday, January 5, at 1:30pm, at the Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City. The Rev. Jay Wesseling will officiate. Interment will follow at the West Lawn Cemetery in Orange City. Visitation will be after 4:00pm on Friday, with the family present from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, at the funeral home.

Gertrude was born in Boyden, Iowa, on December 17, 1918, the third child of Gerrit and Elizabeth (Siebersma) Kroeze. She lived her entire life in Northwest Iowa, most of it right in Orange City.

On January 22, 1941, she married Alton J. Vink in Orange City, and together they had two daughters, Janice and Betty. Alton died unexpectedly on March 8, 1981, in Orange City, after forty years of marriage.

On June 8, 1985, Gert married Marion George Wiersma in Orange City. Having been friends as couples, these surviving spouses found happiness in more than 22 years of marriage. Marion has been a devoted husband and loving caregiver.

Gert loved her Lord, her family and friends, and serving others. She had the gift of gracious hospitality and modeled what it meant to have a servant's heart. She was an ardent supporter of the Orange City Christian School and active in the Monica Society and helping with Cash for Trash. She participated in the Faith, Hope, and Love Society at the First Christian Reformed Church and was involved in Coffee Break both there and at the Redeemer United Reformed Church, both in Orange City. In addition to being a homemaker, she worked many years at a grocery store and in the Sears Catalog Store, both in Orange City.

Surviving include her husband, Marion, of Sioux Center; two daughters and their families, Janice and Dick Van Deelen, and their children, Tim and Carol Van Deelen (Grace and Koby), Nick and Lynne Van Deelen (Benjamin, Anna, and Abigail), and Darcy Van Deelen (Sam and Gabrielle); and Betty and Dave Wieland, and her sons, Jeremy and Michael Veldman; two step-daughters and their families, Helena and Ed Geels, and their children, Randy and Sherri Geels (Jessica, Caitlin, Eric, and Shannon), and Marc and Sheri Geels (Mackenzie, Shaniah, and De Andre); and Fran and Peter Meenen, and their families, Peter Meenen, and Paula and Zachary Huston; and three sisters, Tillie Newendorp, Jennie (Albert) De Haan, and Elizabeth (Ken) Vande Berg.

In addition to her first husband, she was preceded in death by her first grandchild, the infant daughter of Dick and Jan; two brothers, Steve (Marcene) Kroeze and Gary (Marilyn) Kroeze, two sisters, Lucy Faber and Wilma Fedders; three half-brothers, John, Harry, and Peter Kroeze; and four half-sisters, Grace Wielenga, Nell Van Gelder, Jessie Huisman, and Rena Huisman.

Thanks be to God that "He who began a good work" in Gert was "faithful to complete it" (Philippians l:6) and call her home to glory, where she is once again whole and rejoicing before the throne of her heavenly Father.