Mr. Donald Smit, age 81, of Hull, passed away on Wednesday, September 24, 2014, at the Pleasant Acres Care Center in Hull.
There will be a memorial service on Saturday, September 27, at 11:00 am, at the First Reformed Church in Hull. The Rev. Kevin Yurk will officiate. Private family interment prior to the service at Hope Cemetery in Hull. Visitation with the family will be on Friday, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, at the church. Arrangements are with the Oolman Funeral Home in Hull.
Donald was born on September 17, 1933, at Hull, the son of John T. and Maggie (Riemersma) Smit. He was raised at Hull and served in the United States military.
On August 23, 1957, he married Gertrude Mae Rens in Long Beach, California. They made their home in California for two years and then returned to Hull, where they farmed northeast of town. “Gert” passed away on September 6, 1988, in Rock Valley.
On February 25, 1992, he married Lucille Gladys Peters Hilbrands in George. They made their home in Hull, but wintered in Texas for nineteen years.
“Don” was a member of the First Reformed Church. He thoroughly enjoyed farming and liked camping, fishing, and woodworking.
Survivors include his wife of more than 22 years, Lucille; two sons and their wives, Mike and Shelly Smit, of Rock Valley; and Merlin and Jill Smit, of Chino, California; six grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; seven step-children, Dale Hilbrands, and his fiance’, Linda, of Brandon, South Dakota; Glenda, and her husband, Roger Schellin, of Elk Horn, Wisconsin; Milton Hilbrands, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Judy, and her husband, Joe Gacke, of Rock Rapids; Kent Hilbrands, and his wife, Carla, of Mason, Ohio; Elton Hilbrands, of Alton; and Jason Hilbrands, and his wife, Dawn, of Rock Rapids; seventeen step-grandchildren, sixteen step-great-grandchildren; a brother, Anthony Smit, of Hull; three sisters, Marguerite Valentine, of Lakewood, California; Julia, and her husband, John Vander Ploeg, of Sioux Center; and Adrianna, and her husband, Bill Sneller, of Luverne, Minnesota; two sisters-in-law, Marilyn De Leeuw, of Bellflower, California; and June Broek, of Sioux Center; and a brother-in-law, Richard Rens, and his wife, Greta, of Bellflower.
In addition to his parents and first wife, he was preceded in death by a son, Mark Smit; and a brother, John Smit, Jr.
Memorials will be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association.
