Mary M. Croatt

Mary M. Croatt, 61, of rural Granville passed away on Saturday September 28, 2013 at the Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City, Iowa

Services will be 10:30 A.M. Friday October 4, 2013 at the St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in HOSPERS, Iowa Father Tim Hogan will officiate with burial in the St. Anthony’s Catholic Cemetery in HOSPERS

Visitation will be after 4 P.M. with the Family present at 5 P.M. and a scripture wake service at 7 P.M. all at the St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in PRIMGHAR

The Eldridge Family Funeral Home of Paullina is in charge of arrangement.

On line condolences can be sent to eldridgefamilyfuneralhomes.com

 

Mary Margaret (Shea) Croatt was born September 10, 1952 in LeMars, Iowa to Roman and Vivian (Sudtelgte) Shea of Granville, Iowa. Mary graduated from Spalding Catholic High School in 1971 and completed her LPN nursing degree in 1972 through Iowa Lakes Community College in Emmetsburg, Iowa. On June 2, 1973, she was united in marriage to Dennis Anthony Croatt at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Granville, Iowa. The couple spent the next 40 years of their wonderful and happy marriage farming throughout Minnesota and Northwest Iowa, with 32 of those years in the Paullina area, where they raised their four children, Carrie, Nathan, Joshua and Matthew. Mary spent her life as a devoted homemaker and caretaker for her family and working as a nurse and dental assistant in Paullina and Primghar. She loved traveling to visit family across the U.S., browsing antique stores, flea markets and spending time on the farm. She also enjoyed hosting visitors and family gatherings especially around the holidays, where there was never a lack of food or good conversation. Her favorite among these were her 9 grandchildren who always found a welcome spot on Grandma’s lap and open arms for hugs. Mary was a steady rock of advice, love, and reason for Dennis, her four children and their families. Her smile, laughter, quick wit and especially her love for the simpler things in life will be missed. Mary passed away on Saturday, September 28, 2013 at the Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City reaching the age of 61 years and 18 days.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Dennis of Granville; children, Carrie and her husband, Aaron Moore of Boise, ID; Nathan and his wife, Jennifer of Cloverdale, IA; Joshua and his wife, Ashley of Hospers, IA and Matthew and his wife, Jodi of Glenwood, IA; nine grandchildren, Elliott, Madeline, Anthony, Keaton, Aubrey, Marnie, Shelby, Jacob and Joshua; and Mary’s siblings, Dave Shea, Jack (Maxine) Shea, Karen (Jim) Smith; Jim (Betty) Shea; Dan and (Kate) Shea; Pat (Rita) Shea; Mike (Donna) Shea; sister-in-law, Becky Shea also nieces, nephews and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Roman and Vivian Shea; brother, Tim Shea and sister-in-law, Pamela Shea.


Imogene Tillotson

Imogene TillotsonImogene Tillotson, age 91, of Sibley, Iowa, passed away on Friday, September 27, 2013 at the Sibley Nursing and Rehab in Sibley.

Memorial Services will be Tuesday, October 1, 2013 at 11:00 A.M. at the United Methodist Church in Sibley. Rev. Shannon Pascual and Rev. Dr. Steven H. Pohlman officiating.

Friends may visit with the family following the Memorial Service during fellowship and lunch.

Online Expressions of Sympathy can be sent through www.andringafuneralhome.com.

The Andringa Funeral Home of Sibley in charge of arrangements for Imogene Tillotson.


Edith Sietstra

Edith Sietstra, 95, of Boyden, IA died Thursday, September 26, 2013, at Whispering Heights Care Center, of Rock Valley, Iowa.

A visitation will be held on Sunday from 2-4 PM at Demco Center in of Boyden.

A prayer service for family and friends will be held on Monday at 10:00 AM at the First Reformed Church of Boyden. Interment will follow the prayer service in Sheridan Township Cemetery of Boyden.

A memorial service will be held Monday at 11:00 AM at First Reformed Church of Boyden with Rev. Matthew Draffen officiating.  


John Gerritsen

John Gerritsen, age 81 of Rock Rapids, IA died on Thursday, September 26, 2013 at the Rock Rapids Health Centre.

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, September 30th at First Reformed Church of Rock Rapids, with Rev. Dan Haggar officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery of Rock Rapids.

Visitation will be Sunday, September 29th from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

An online registry is available at www.jurrensfuneralhome.com

John Gerritsen was born June 23, 1932 in Rock Valley, Iowa, the son of Jacob “Jake” and Fredreaka (Kleyn) Gerritsen. He was raised near Rock Valley, on a farm and attended Rock Valley School through the 8th grade. He entered the United States Army on October 20, 1953, where he served state side during the Korean Conflict. While on leave John was united in marriage to Hermina Joan Klarenbeek on August 28, 1954. He was honorably discharge on October 19, 1955 with the rank of Specialist 3rd Class. He returned to northwest Iowa and moved around to various farms near Doon, Sioux Center, Rock Valley and Rock Rapids. In 1967 they bought a farm outside of Rock Rapids where they farmed until 1982. They then moved into Rock Rapids, where they opened a repair shop along with their son, Don Gerritsen. John worked there until he retired in 2004.

John was a member of the First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids and the Rex Strait Post No. 103, American Legion. He has always enjoyed collecting toys, specifically farm toys and old cars. He enjoyed welding and tinkering on things. He also enjoyed visiting family and playing cards and marble games. His greatest joy in life was his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will fondly be remembered by his family through their memories of rides through the park, feeding the animals and enjoying Slade’s ice cream. Also is remembered for always greeting everyone with a peppermint life saver. He loved cartoons, jokes and visiting with people.

John was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and Melanoma Cancer. On January 28, 2011 John entered the Rock Rapids Health Centre, where he remained until this past Thursday, September 26, 2013, when he died at the age of 81.

He is survived by his wife, Hermina Gerritsen; son Don (Laurine) Gerritsen all of Rock Rapids; two granddaughters; Julie (Kevin) Joachim of Larchwood and Michelle ( Ryan) Hellenga of Little Rock, IA; one grandson Don Gerritsen, JR of Rock Rapids; five great-grandchildren, Cole and Rachael Joachim of Larchwood, IA, and Adrianna, Samantha and William Hellenga of Little Rock, IA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jake and Fredreaka Gerritsen; five siblings, Nellie Gerritsen, John Gerritsen, Margaret DeJong, Frank Gerritsen and Nellie Milano; four brothers-in-law, John Van Peursen, Tom Milano, Tom DeJong and Henry “Hank” Klarenbeek; and two sisters-in-law, Mina Gerritsen and Alice Gerritsen.

 


Jean Schmidt

Funeral-female1Jean Schmidt, age 83 of Sanborn, IA, formerly of Melvin, IA, passed away at Prairie View Nursing Home in Sanborn on Sunday, September 22, 2013.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 5th at 10:30 a.m. at the American Lutheran Church in Melvin.  Pastor Trudy Peterson will be officiating.

Visitation will be at the American Lutheran Church in Melvin on Friday, October 4th from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with the family present from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m.  Inurnment will be at Baker Township Cemetery in Melvin.

The Sanborn Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for 83 year-old Jean Schmidt of Sanborn, and formerly of Melvin.


Mary Bras

Mary BrasMary Bras, age 73, of Hull, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, September 25, 2013 at Prairie View Home in Sanborn, Iowa.

Funeral Services will be Saturday, September 28, 2013 at 10:30 A.M. at the Protestant Reformed Church in Hull, Iowa. Rev. James Lanning officiating. Burial at Hope Cemetery in Hull, Iowa.

Visitation will be Friday, September 27, from 3:00 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 of Sheldon in charge of arrangements for Mary Bras.