Wynja, James 1927-2005

WYNJA, EENKHOORN, DELEEUW

Posted By: Janet Bosler - Volunteer (email)
Date: 9/28/2013 at 21:25:31

Sioux City Journal July, 2005

Born: 12-6-1927
Died: 7-6-2005

James Wynja, 77, of Melvin passed away Wednesday, July 6, 2005, in rural Melvin.

Memorial services will be 10:30am today at First Reformed Church in Melvin. Graveside services will be 9:30am today in Baker township Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Sanborn Funeral Home in Sanborn, Iowa.

James Wynja, the son of Henry and Dora (Eenkhooorn) Wynja, was born in Steen, Minn., on Dec. 6, 1927. He lived his youth in Steen, Alvord, Iowa, and Sioux Center. He received his education at country schools at Alvord and Sioux Center.

He was united in marriage to Elizabeth DeLeeuw on Sept. 24, 1949, at her parent's home in Middleburg, Iowa. He had served with the National Guard unit from Sheldon, Iowa, for four years. Following their marriage, the couple lived in Sioux County, Iowa, for four years, then moved to a farm south of Lake Park, Iowa, for eight years. They then moved to their farm northwest of Melvin, where they engaged in farming. They resided there until mowing to the town of Melvin in 1968.

He farmed for the first 20 years of their marriage. While he was farming, he also drove a school bus. He then drove a truck for Midwest Coast Trucking from Sioux Falls, S.D. for 25 years, until his retirement in 1990.

He was a member of First Reformed Church for more than 50 years. He received many safe truck driving awards from his trucking company and was named Driver of the Year, one year. He enjoyed spending time at Mark's farm and visiting area sale barns. He also liked to drive around the countryside looking at the crops and livestock and stopping in and visiting with family and friends.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Elizabeth "Liz" of Melvin; his children, Barbara and Craig Sorensen, Robert Wynja, Ronald and Kathy Wynja, Michael and Kay Wynja and Mark and Marsha Wynja, all of Melvin; 13 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; a brother and his wife, Chris and Dorothy Wynja of Sioux Center, Iowa; a sister and her husband Dorothy and Marvin Uittenbogaard of Sheldon, Iowa; two sister-in-laws, Dorothy Wynja of Ireton, Iowa, and Mary Jean Wynja of Sioux Center, Iowa; other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son; and infant grandson, Timothy Sorensen, three brothers, James Wessel and Joe Wynja; and two sisters, Christina Ruisch and Edna DeGroot.