Sietstra, Larry Dean 1950-2023

SIETSTRA, DEZEEUW, RENS

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting (email)
Date: 10/5/2023 at 14:29:44

Mr. Larry Sietstra, age 73, of Boyden, passed away on Monday, September 25, 2023, at Sioux Center Health.

A visitation with the family present will be held on Thursday, September 28, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at the Demco Community Center in Boyden. There will be a funeral service on Saturday, September 30, at 10:30am, at the First Reformed Church in Boyden with the Rev. Keith Sietstra officiating. Interment will follow the service at the Sheridan Township Cemetery near Boyden. Please note that there will be no visitation or service on Friday. The Oolman Funeral Home in Hull is in charge of arrangements.

Larry Dean was born on April 26, 1950, in Orange City, to Herman and Edith (De Zeeuw) Sietstra. He grew up on a farm near Boyden with his older brother John, his twin brother Phil, his younger brother Dale, and his sisters Karla and Cheryl. Larry graduated from the Boyden-Hull High School in 1968, and attended Northwest Iowa Community College in Sheldon, for training in autobody repair and diesel mechanics.

With the Vietnam War in full force, Larry enlisted in the United States Army in 1969, and served in the 101st Infantry, whose motto was "Above the Rest". After being wounded, he was honorably discharged and decorated with the National Defense Service Medal, a Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze service stars, the Army Commendation Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster, a Bronze Star, and a Purple Heart. He returned home in 1970, and settled back into his civilian life in Boyden, where he worked at various jobs, including working in sales, construction, and driving truck.

On March 20, 1971, at the First Christian Reformed Church in Hull, before God, family, and friends, Larry and his bride, LaVonne Rens, vowed to love each other for their whole lives. Together they made their home in Boyden and were blessed with three children, Lorayne, Luke, and Link.

Larry enjoyed spending time with his family, being a member of the William-Monster American Legion Post in Boyden, volunteering with the Boyden Fire Department, being a horse cop at the Clay County Fair, and serving at the First Reformed Church in Boyden. He also liked listening and dancing to country music, playing a good game of cards, target shooting, and horseback riding. He was a proud Army Veteran and cherished the lifelong friendships he made with the men he served with in Vietnam. He loved participating in their bi-annual reunions, where they would reminisce and enjoy lifelong camaraderie.

He is survived by his wife of more than 52 years, LaVonne, of Boyden; a daughter and her husband, Lorayne and Matt Middendorp, of Clinton; two sons, Luke Sietstra, and his wife, Amy, of Sheldon; and Link Sietstra, of Boyden; six grandchildren, Ethan, Isaac, Ashton, and Amelia Middendorp; and Landon and Levi Sietstra; two brothers and their wives; Phil and Marcia Sietstra, of Sioux Falls; and Dale and Lila Sietstra, of Sheldon; two sisters and their husbands, Karla and Dave De Jongh, of Sioux Falls; and Cheryl and Dennis Rodger, of Storm Lake; a sister-in-law, Linda Sietstra, of Lee Summit, Missouri; as well as LaVonne’s siblings and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, John Sietstra; and a nephew, Joseph Sietstra.

Memorials will be given to the Boyden Fire Department and the William-Monster American Legion Post in Boyden.

Source: Oolman Funeral Home online obituary.