Dieleman, Louis (1924-2009

DIELEMAN, TERPSTRA, JANSEN, FOPMA

Posted By: Ernie Braida (email)
Date: 1/13/2010 at 16:28:10

Louis Dieleman was born on August 4, 1924, in Sully, Iowa, the youngest of ten children born to Daniel and Alida (Terpstra) Dieleman.

When he was 3 years of age his father passed away unexpectedly; and he continued to live with his mother, brothers and sisters on an acreage near Sully. Louie, as he was known, received his formal education at the Sully Christian Grade School and made profession of his faith at an early age at the Sully Christian Reformed Church. When he was 14 years of age his mother died suddenly from a stroke. Louie worked as a farm hand on the Ben Terlouw farm north of Killduff, Iowa.

On February 22, 1946, he was united in marriage with Bernice Lucille Jansen, a daughter of Gerrit and Lizzie (Fopma) Jansen. They moved to a farm southwest of Sully and to this union two sons were born: Norman Lee and Edwin Louis.

Nine years later they purchased the farm and moved to the Hunziker farm nearby continuing to farm both farms. Louie and Bernice built a new home on their original farm and following their retirement moved to Pella, Iowa in 1998.

Louie did a lot of custom baling, with a Vermeer baler, which he thoroughly enjoyed. He served on the Sully Christian School Board and had a passion for Christian education, spending many, many hours volunteering for the schools.

His 6 grandsons were a very important part of his life. Not only did he enjoy their many visits, he encouraged them in their spiritual lives and enjoyed attending their ball games, music programs, and other activities.

Louie was a longtime, faithful member of the Sully Christian Reformed Church where he had served as a Deacon. At the present time he was a member of the Covenant Reformed Church in Pella.

On Saturday evening, August 29, 2009, he passed away at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House in Pella having just celebrated his 85th birthday.

Louie is survived by his wife of 63 years, Bernice; their 2 sons and their wives and 6 grandchildren: Norman L. and Janice (Steenhoek) Dieleman of Pella, Iowa; Edwin L. and Joyce (Veurink) Dieleman of Sully, Iowa.

Louie was the last surviving member of his original family. He leaves his sister-in-law, Ernestine (Harry) Dieleman of Sully; along with the following sisters-in-law and brother-in-law: Cornelia (Jansen) Boat, Jerri (Cornie) Jansen, Shirley (Jansen) and Bruce Baarda all of Sully.

Louie was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel and Alida Dieleman; and his 9 sisters and brothers and their spouses: Jennie and Cornelius Van Kooten, Nellie and Roy Van Kooten, Christine and Louis Van Wyk, William and Joyce Dieleman, Harriet and Everett Vande Voort, Harry Dieleman, Sadie and James Nikkel, Daniel and Lorraine Dieleman, Wallace and Jessie Dieleman; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Mary (Jansen) and Joe Nikkel, and brothers-in-law, Harris Boat and Cornie Jansen.

Interment: Sully Cemetery at Sully, Iowa

Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home