Obituaries

Mr. Jay De Jong, age 77, of Orange City, passed away on Thursday, September 19, 2013, at the Heritage House Nursing Home in Orange City.

There will be a funeral service on Monday, September 23, at 10:30am, at the Calvary Christian Reformed Church in Orange City. The Rev. John Klompien will officiate. Interment will follow at the West Lawn Cemetery in Orange City. Visitation will be after 4:00pm on Sunday, with the family present from 4:00pm to 6:00pm, at the Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City.

Jay Bertram was born on March 14, 1936, in Orange City, the son of Orville and Elizabeth (Mouw) De Jong. He attended school in Orange City and graduated with the Class of 1953.

He began working with his dad at the Orange Motor Company in Orange City, the local Oldsmobile dealership, eventually going into sales. He married the love of his life, Gloria Marra, of Alton, on November 17, 1954, in Orange City. They lived in Orange City, where they raised three children. When the dealership was sold in 1991, Jay became a jailor at the Sioux County Jail, retiring in 2002.

Jay enjoyed golfing, had a great sense of humor, and enjoyed teasing his family. His children and grandchildren were the joy of his life. He was a member of the Calvary Christian Reformed church. He was a charter member of the Orange City Jaycees, and he helped with sets at Tulip Festival night shows. He was a history buff and enjoyed reading about World War II.

Jay and Gloria entered the Heritage House, nursing home, in Orange City, in February of 2013, where they resided until Gloria passed away on April 25, 2013, after more than 58 years of marriage. Jay continued to live there and enjoyed visiting with many of the residents. He liked to give the staff a hard time and kept them on their toes.

He is survived by his three children, Sherry De Jong, of Carlsbad California, Sheila (Timothy) Cowles, of Sioux City, and Brian De Jong, of Orange City; two granddaughters, Brooke (Jared) Donnelly and Audra (Ronald) Scott; and two great-grandsons, Gavin and Evan Donnelly, all of Omaha, Nebraska; a brother, Hallard (Shirley) De Jong, of Orange City; two sisters-in-law, Olva (Lambert) Hollinga, of Orange City and Mary Marra, of Cedar Falls; and many nieces and nephews.

His family is grateful to the staff of the Heritage House and the Orange City Area Home Health and Hospice for their excellent and loving care.

Memorials will be directed to the Orange City Area Home Health and Hospice.

Robert M. “Bob” Pietz, age 76 of Sibley, IA died Monday, September 16, 2013 at Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, Sept. 20th at First Reformed Church in Sibley with Rev. Bruce Wilterdink officiating. Burial will follow at Holman Township Cemetery in Sibley.

Visitation will be Thursday, Sept. 19th from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. with family present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Jurrens Funeral Home in Sibley.

Robert Melvin Pietz was born September 6, 1937 at the family farm near Parkston, South Dakota, the son of Carl Anton and Sophia (Bertch) Pietz. He attended country school and helped his family with the daily operation of the farm. Later he worked for various farmers near Valley Springs, SD, as a hired hand.

On August 11, 1963 Bob was united in marriage to Marlys J. Korthals in Luverne, MN. They lived in Luverne for a short time while Bob worked at a dairy farm. They moved to Lake Park, IA until moving to Ralph, IA, where he continued working as hired hand. In 1964 the family was blessed with twins Julie, and Jean. Another year later in 1965 he was fortunate enough to have another daughter, Sandra. In 1969, they moved back to Luverne where Bob and Marlys worked at Luverne High School. They then moved to a farm near Bigelow, MN, where he worked for Dick Lowe. In 1975 they moved to Sibley, IA and worked for Harold and Paul Feldkamp for over 37 years. Bob and Marlys also worked as custodians at First Reformed Church for 24 years, before retiring in 2011.

Bob was a member of the First Reformed Church of Sibley. He enjoyed fishing, walking, playing cards with friends and working outside in the yard. He also enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. Bob will be missed for his sense of humor, loyalty towards his family and friends and his unconditional love. Although, throughout Bob’s life he faced several health struggles, he always remained positive and vigilant. On Thursday, September 12th he was admitted to the Avera Heart Hospital due to his failing health and remained there until this past Monday, September 16, 2013 where he died, surrounded by family and friends, at the age of 76.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Marlys Pietz of Sibley, IA; three daughters, Julie Ann (James) Fritz of Rochester, MN, Jean Marie Kolbeck (Jay Packman) of Milford, IA, and Sandra Kay (Joe) Schilling of Little Rock, IA; six grandchildren; five brothers, Herb (Pamela) Pietz of Milwaukee, WI, Elmer (Georgia) Pietz of Edgerton, MN, Vilo (Marlys) Pietz of Sioux Falls, SD, Verlyn (Camille) Pietz of Mesa, AZ and Donald (Lynette) Pietz of Brookings, SD; six sister, Leona (LeRoy) Baltzer of Parkston, SD, Violet (Verlyn) Fuerst of Tripp, SD, LaVerna (Darel) Magstadt of Tripp, SD, Venetta (Melvin) Smith of Freemont, NE, Mary (Keith) Thrift of Bridgewater, SD and Carol Stockes of Sioux Falls, SD; three brothers-in-law, Richard (Velma) Korthals of Marion, SD, Darwin (Jolene) Korthals of Rock Rapids, IA and Gene Korthals of Sioux Falls, SD; two sisters-in-law, Janice Besta of Beresford, SD and Carla (Todd) Meyers of Sioux Falls, SD; and many nieces, nephews , cousins and other extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Sophia Pietz; and his sister, Viola Zobel.

Herman B. Kramer, age 74 of George, IA died Monday, September 16, 2013 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.

Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, September 19, 2013 at First Baptist Church in George, IA with Pastor Steve May officiating. Private family burial will take place at a later date.

Visitation will be Wednesday, September 18th, 2013 from 4-8 p.m. with the family present from 6-8 p.m. at the Jurrens Funeral Home of George, IA.