Van Surksum, William Fredrick "Bill" 1938-2024

VANSURKSUM, KREYKES, FEIKEMA

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 3/6/2024 at 15:04:17

Mr. William “Bill” Van Surksum, age 85, of Sheldon, formerly of Hospers, passed away on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at his home in Sheldon.

A visitation with the family present will be held on Friday, March 1, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, at the First Christian Reformed Church in Hospers. A prayer service will take place on Saturday, March 2, at 10:00am, at the church, followed by interment at the Hospers Cemetery near Hospers. There will be a memorial service on Saturday, at 11:00am, at the church, with the Rev. Duane Tinklenberg officiating. The Oolman Funeral Home in Hospers is in charge of arrangements.

William Fredrick, the son of Gerrit and Agnes (Kreykes) Van Surksum, was born on December 31, 1938, on his family’s farm southwest of Sheldon. He grew up on the farm and was a student at the Hospers Christian School and graduated from the Western Christian High School in Hull. As a young man, Bill made his way to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he met Marjorie Joann Feikema.

Bill and Marge were united in marriage on September 22, 1962, in Grand Rapids, where they briefly made their home until returning to Northwest Iowa to raise their family. For the majority of their married life, they farmed near Hospers. In earlier years, in addition to crop farming, Bill raised livestock, primarily hogs. In 2007, they retired from farming and moved to a home in Sheldon. As a couple, Bill and Marge enjoyed camping and traveling together and were able to visit almost all fifty states on their motorcycle. They also spent several winters in Florida, Mississippi, and Texas, volunteering as part of an outreach ministry. After more than sixty years together, Marge passed away on February 18, 2023, in Sheldon.

Bill was a member of the First Christian Reformed Church in Hospers, served on the church’s consistory as both a deacon and an elder, and sang in the church’s choir. For many years he served as the Lynn Township Clerk, was a member of the Iowa Pork Producers Association, and regularly gave blood, donating more than twenty gallons. When he was younger, Bill liked going bowling and golfing; more recently, he looked forward to having coffee with his friends, volunteering with Love INC, and taking his grandchildren out for lunch. He was an avid fan of the Minnesota Twins and the Iowa Hawkeyes and was a talented woodworker, making countless items that his family will treasure.

Survivors include his three children and their spouses, Michael and Nancy Van Surksum, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Nancy and Dan Foster, of Hospers; and Brad and Kim Van Surksum, of Harrisburg, South Dakota; ten grandchildren, Ryan (Cady) Van Surksum; Andy Van Surksum; Tyler Van Surksum; Lexi (Christian) Kasel; Renae (Brandon) Ruschill; Jenna Meines; Carolynn Meines; Karissa (Brendan) Miedema; Kassidy (fiancé Andrew Kovalenko) Van Surksum; and Bennett Van Surksum; two great-grandchildren, Addison Van Surksum and Jordan Van Surksum; two sisters, Ella Horjus, of Grand Rapids, and Wilma Vink, of Sheldon; five sisters-in-law, Betty Bolkema, of Hull; Karolyn Van Engen, of Sioux Center; Ann Feikema, of Sioux Falls; Arlene (Art) Stellinga, of Rock Valley; and Lori (Ron) Bruxvoort, of Erie, Colorado; and a brother-in-law, Casey (Rose) Feikema, of Luverne, Minnesota.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a sister, Carrie (Rich) Venema; two brothers, John (Vonnie) Van Surksum, and an infant also named Bill; and five brothers-in-law, Mart Horjus, Marv Vink, John Bolkema, Arn Van Engen, and Ken Kelderman.

Memorials will be given to Love INC of Greater O’Brien County.

Source: Oolman Funeral Home online obituary.