Gerrit Van Der Plaats, age 82, of Sheldon, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, March 26, 2014 at Sanford Hospital in Sheldon.
Funeral Services will be Saturday, March 29, 2014 at 10:30 A.M. at the First Reformed Church in Sheldon. Rev. Bruce Wilderdink officiating. Burial to follow at the East Lawn Cemetery in Sheldon. Visitation will be Friday, March 28, from 2:00 to 8:00 P.M. with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at the Andringa Funeral Home Sheldon Funeral Service in Sheldon.
Online Expressions of Sympathy can be sent to www.andringafuneralhome.com
The Andringa Funeral Home Sheldon Funeral Service in charge of arrangements for Gerrit Van Der Plaats.
Gerrit Van Der Plaats was born on August 5, 1931 in Sibley, Iowa. He was the son of Arjen and Sadie (Damstra) Van Der Plaats. He lived his youth in Sheldon, Iowa and attended Sheldon Christian Grade School. In his early teens Gerrit was employed by Millard McNut with farming until he was drafted into the United States Army. He served in the Army from 1952 to 1955 and was honorably discharged on February 24, 1955 after serving during the Korean Conflict.
He was united in marriage to Hattie Rens of Sioux Center, Iowa on August 8, 1956 in Sioux Center. After their marriage, they lived on farms in Primghar, Hospers and Ocheyedan, Iowa, before moving to Sheldon, Iowa, in 1992. After farming until 1970, Gerrit was self-employed in general construction until he retired in 1992. Upon retirement, he drove truck for White Wolf Web in Sheldon and American Beauty in Boyden. He completely retired in 2005, due to his health. Hattie passed away on March 10, 2007.
Gerrit was a former member of the Melvin Reformed Church, where he served as an elder. He was presently a member of the First Reformed Church in Sheldon.
The most important part of Gerrit’s life was his family. He enjoyed telling stories, playing card games and family reunions. Gardening, especially growing tomatoes, was something he was proud of also.
He passed away on Wednesday, March 26, 2014 at Sanford Sheldon Medical Center.
Those left to cherish his memories are his children: Gerrit W. and Connie Van Der Plaats of Kentwood, MI, Ellen R. Korver of Sioux Center, IA, Arlen R. and Rebecca Van Der Plaats of Sheldon, IA, Harold G. and Laurie Van Der Plaats of Tarkio, MO, Lora B. and Jerry Kroon of Bellingham, WA, Lisa B. and Richard Schwanke of Rock Valley, IA; 16 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; one sister: Myrna and Courtney Elbers of Alvord, IA; one sister-in-law: Katherine Vander Plaats of Sheldon, IA.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Hattie; his parents; and 3 brothers: Harold, John and Wilton.
