Van Wyhe, Gerrit "Slim" Jacob Jr. 1927-2004

VANWYHE, DEWEERD, ALVINE

Posted By: Mary Lou Verburg Volunteer (email)
Date: 2/10/2014 at 18:41:11

Born: June 4, 1927, Rural Alvord, Iowa
Died: November 28, 2004 Rock Rapids, Iowa

Gerrit "Slim" Jacob Van Wyhe, Jr. 77, Rock Rapids, died Sunday, November 28, at Lyon Manor Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Rock Rapids.

Services were Thursday, December 2, at the Christian Reformed Church in Rock Rapids, with the Rev. Cliff Hoekstra officiating. Burial was at Riverview Cemetery in Rock Rapids, under the direction of Roste Funeral Home in Rock Rapids.

Gerrit "Slim" Van Wyhe, son of Gerrit and Albertha (De Weerd) Van Wyhe, was born June 4, 1927, on a farm near Alvord. He spent his early years in Sioux County. His family moved to a farm west of Rock Rapids when he was 15. He was drafted when he was 23 and served his country in the U.S. Army.

He married Margaret Alvine of Sioux Falls, S.D. on January 17, 1957. He took pride in farming and raising his family for the next 36 years.

He expressed his love as a pillar of strength in his family, church and community. He was a life-long member of the Christian Reformed Church, where he led as elder, deacon, and Sunday School superintendent.

He was a member of the Lester Veterans of Foreign Wars and served on the Central Lyon School District Board of Education for many years.

Survivors include his wife, Margaret Van Wyhe of Rock Rapids; five children, Jolene Van Wyhe-Haidle of Prior Lake, MN, Paul Van Wyhe of Rock Rapids, Pam Swaney of Jacksonville, FL, Karen Olesen of Lakeville, MN, and Melanie Van Wyhe of Minnetonka, MN; 12 grandchildren; five sisters, Wilma Brower of Luverne, MN., Jan Selles of Battle Creek, MI, Albertha "Buff" Gildemeister of Dell Rapids, S.D., Joyce Dornbush of Holland MI, and Muriel Plooster of Harrisburg, S.D. and two brothers, Willis Van Wyhe of Fort Collins, CO, and Marvin Van Wyhe of Spirit Lake.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, infant Willis Henry Van Wyhe and Elmer Van Wyhe.

Source: Northwest Iowa Review December 14, 2004