Oostra, Gerald "Farmer" 1928-2008

OOSTRA, VANSURKSUM, VANDENTOP

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke--volunteer
Date: 1/4/2016 at 21:20:09

Source: Andringa Funeral Home Obit

Birth: April 10, 1928
Death: July 24, 2008

Gerald Oostra, "farmer" (nick-name) age 80, of Sheldon, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, July 24, 2008, at Sanford Sheldon Hospital in Sheldon.

Funeral services will be Monday, July 28, 2008, at 10:30 A.M. at the First Christian Reformed Church in Sheldon. Reverend Greg Timmer officiating. Burial in the East Lawn Cemetery in Sheldon. Visitation will be Sunday, July 27, from 1:00 to 6:00 P.M. with the family present from 2:00 to 4:00 P.M. at the Andringa Funeral Home Sheldon Funeral Service in Sheldon.

Gerald Oostra, "farmer" (nick-name), was born on April 11, 1928 in Doon, Iowa. He was the son of John and Kate (Van Surksum) Oostra. He lived his youth in the Rock Valley, Iowa, area, and later moved to Michigan.

He was united in marriage to Gertrude Van Den Top of Inwood, Iowa, on April 16, 1949, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. They lived in rural Sheldon, Iowa, where they farmed for 38 years.

Gerald later worked at Land 0 Lakes in Sheldon, he retired and shortly thereafter started working again.

Gertrude passed away on June 1, 2000.

He was a member of the First Christian Reformed Church in Sheldon.

Gerald enjoyed visiting his family in Texas, fishing, playing cards and working. He especially enjoyed getting together every weekend and going out to eat with his brothers and sisters.

Gerald passed away on Thursday, July 24, 2008, at Sanford Sheldon Hospital in Sheldon.

Those left to cherish his memories are his children: Jerry and Pamela Oostra of Keller, Texas, and their children: Chad and Havilah Oostra and their children: Myah and Jamison, Todd and Katie Oostra and their child: Gavin, and Amanda Brower; Elaine and Richard Buchman of Bedford, Texas, and their children: Angela and Greg Young and their children: Jacob, John, Julia and Joshua, and Rachel Ailshie, Philip and Ashley Buchman and their children: Hunter and Mayson, and Joseph Buchman; Kelvin and Karen Oostra of Euless, Texas, and their children: Kyle Oostra and Kaitlyn Oostra; Diane Heusinkveld and Stephen Urban of Lake Country, Texas, and her children: Ashley and Brian Killian and their children: Benjamin, Caleb, and Emily, and Haley Heusinkveld; Brad and Kara Oostra of Sheldon, Iowa, and their children: Nicholas Oostra and Nathan Oostra; five brothers: Richard Oostra of Sioux Center, Iowa, Jacob and Teresa Oostra of Rock Valley, Iowa, William "Bill" and Lois Oostra of Winneconne, Wisconsin, Andrew and Wilmina Oostra of Rock Valley, Iowa, Robert and Muriel Oostra of Hull, Iowa; two sisters: Mary Grooters of Hull, Iowa, and Ruth Van Engen of Sioux Center, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Gertrude; son, Brian; one sister: Berdina Van Maanen; four brothers: Andrew Oostra, John Oostra, Marinus Oostra, and Ralph Oostra.