Gesink, Henry Junior 1940-2023

GESINK, COLSMAN, VANDERVEEN

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/21/2023 at 19:39:58

Henry Junior Gesink age 83 of Sheldon, Iowa passed away on Monday, May 29, 2023 at the Happy Siesta Health Care System in Remsen, Iowa. His Memorial Service will be at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, June 3, 2023 at the First Christian Reformed Church in Sheldon, Iowa with Rev. John Vermeer and Pastor Brian Dunn ~ officiating.

Visitation will be from 9:30 – 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, June 3, 2023 at the First Christian Reformed Church in Sheldon, Iowa.

For those unable to attend the service on Saturday, the family will be having a family gathering for friends and family on Friday, June 2, 2023 from 3:00-7:00pm at Dell & Joy Faber’s home at 2929 Buchanan, Rock Valley, Iowa.

The Andringa Funeral Home in Sheldon, Iowa is assisting the family with the arrangements

Memorials may be directed to: Sheldon Christian School and Western Christian High School

Arrangements are under the care of the Andringa Funeral Home in Sheldon.

Henry Junior Gesink, 83, son of Bert and Fannie (Colsman) Gesink, was born on April 25, 1940. He grew up on the family farm between Hospers and Sheldon, Iowa, and attended Hospers Christian Grade School, Western Christian High School and Dordt University.

Junior met Elinor Anne Vander Veen from Ripon, CA, while at Dordt. They married on August 5, 1960, at the Hospers Christian Reformed Church. Junior and Elinor made their home on the family farm where they began raising their three children - Joni, Joy and Kevin. They moved to Sheldon in 1972, as Junior felt the Lord’s call to begin a career in insurance. He thoroughly enjoyed serving his clients for over 50 years!

Junior is lovingly remembered by his wife of 63 years, Elinor, their three children, nine grandchildren, and twenty great-grandchildren (soon to be 23!) Brad and Joni Lindbergh and their family: Kyle (Kara) Lindbergh - Skylar, Mason and Miles, Kent (Aubrey) Lindbergh - Elliot, Sophia and Luke, Julia (Mark) Bakker, Dell and Joy Faber and their family: Jordan (Haeley) Faber - Avery, Levi and Beau, Jacob (Rachelle) Faber - Morgan, Emmalynn and Kasen, Kevin and Shelley Gesink and their family: Joel (Jessica) Gesink - Tyson, Luka and Cooper, Kayla (Theo) Bartman - Ellie, Brooklyn, Stella and Lux, Jamie (Zach) De Jager - Olivia, Ben (Bailey) Gesink; siblings: Connie Sterenberg; many nieces and nephews and a host of wonderful friends.

Junior was preceded in death by: parents Bert and Fannie; sisters and brothers in law: Lois and Ade Tinklenberg, Edith Gesink, Barbara & Arnold Boeve, Paul Sterenberg; great grandson Grayson Faber and several wonderful friends.

There were so many things Junior was passionate about. Where do we even begin. But here are a few of his favorites.

His Lord, family, vocation and many activities
Christian Education - as a supporter and Board Member
His church and service as a Deacon and Elder
Being an active member of his community
Basketball, including refereeing, and many other sporting events, especially if it involved his children and grandchildren, Western, Dordt and other local schools
Flying airplanes
Boating and water skiing….and teaching many youth how to ski
Bicycling in RAGBRAI, Colorado, Oregon, etc.
Riding his Goldwing motorcycle and seeing God’s great creation with his wife and biker friends
Woodworking and building many barns and doll houses for friends and charities.
Music - listening to gospel music, the Statler Brothers and playing the trumpet. He loved to sing.
Helping his friends and neighbors with yard work.
Pizza, ice cream and a cold beer

Source: Eldridge Family Funeral Homes online obituary.