Obituaries

Area Funerals

Lillian Schirmer

Lillian Schirmer, age 84 of Sanborn, IA passed away at her home in Sanborn, IA on Tuesday, May 8, 2012.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 12th  at 10:00 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sanborn.  Rev. Jesse Burns will be officiating.

Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, May 11th at the Sanborn Funeral Home with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday evening.   Burial will be at Roseland Cemetery in Sanborn, IA.

Lillian Mae (Dalman) Schirmer, the daughter of Alfred and Lydia (Nelson) Dalman was born on April 21, 1928, in Vergas, MN. She attended school in Pelican Rapids, MN.

On December 18, 1948, she was united in marriage to Norman Edward Schirmer. Following their marriage, the couple lived in Detroit Lakes, MN, until moving to Sanborn, IA, in 1956. They were blessed with seven children.

Throughout the years, Lillian worked at the Pike Café and at Prairie View Nursing Home. Most importantly, she was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as dancing, scrapbooking and fishing. She also enjoyed playing cards, gardening, and coffee time with friends. She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church.

Lillian passed away at her home in Sanborn on Tuesday, May 8, 2012, at age 84. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Norman; one son, Lynn; four brothers, Eric, Carl, Walfred and Gust Dalman; one sister, Olga Lorraine Grobe.

Left to cherish her memory are her children and their families: Loretta Schirmer of Detroit Lakes, MN, Sandra (Jim) Luenberger of George, IA, Glenda (Kent) Miller, and Norma Schirmer, all of Sanborn, IA, Lisa Roth (special friend, Dan) of Sioux Center, IA, Scott (Rachel) Schirmer of Sanborn, and a daughter-in-law, Ellen Schirmer of Detroit Lakes, MN; 14 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; a brother, Floyd (Marie) Dalman of Pelican Rapids, MN; a sister, Elvira Wander of Moorhead, MN; sister-in-law, Betty (Mrs. Donald) Schirmer of Washta, IA; brother-in-law, Vernon Storm of Sanborn, IA; many nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

Online Expressions of Sympathy can be sent to: www.sanborn-hartleyfuneralhomes.com

Bert Zoet

Bert Zoet, age 96, of Sheldon, Iowa passed away on Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at his home in Sheldon.

Funeral Services will be Tuesday, May 15, 2012, at 1:30 P.M. at the First Reformed Church in Sheldon.  Rev. David Brower officiating.  Burial will be in the East Lawn Cemetery in Sheldon.

Visitation will be Monday, May 14, 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.

Bert Zoet, the son of Marinus and Grace (Dykhuizen) Zoet, was born on September 12, 1915, in Elburg, Holland. When he was 6 months old, his family came to the United States and he lived in the Sioux Center, Iowa area until he was 5 years old. The family then moved to Brooten, Minnesota where Bert attended country school. In 1932, he went to work for his Uncle Al Dykhuizen at his farm in the rural Boyden area.

On October 20, 1937, he married Pearl Dekker at her parents’ home by Matlock, Iowa. They lived on farms in the Sibley, Sanborn, and Sutherland area, then moved to a farm by Sheldon and lived there for 40 years. In 1995, they moved to a house in Sheldon. The couple were blessed with six children: Loren, Robert, Dean, Susan, Bonnie, and Dale. Bert took great pride in his family and his farming.

Bert was a member of the First Reformed Church in Sheldon. He was a past member of the Prairie Queen Kiwanis Club. He enjoyed going swimming in the Sheldon indoor pool. For many years, he would go to the pool to swim daily and was a member of the 100 mile Swim Club. He also enjoyed going out for coffee with his friends and tea time with his family. Bert liked to attend Sheldon School events. Bert and Pearl enjoyed traveling. They often went to Texas and New Orleans to visit their daughter, Bonnie and her family, and travelled across the United States and visited the Netherlands.

He passed away on Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at his home in Sheldon.

He is survived by his wife of 74 ½ years, Pearl; his children and their families, Loren Zoet of Adel, IA, Robert (Jill) Zoet of Kenosha, WI, Dean (Audrey) Zoet of Sheldon, IA, Susan (Ronald) McCarty of Sheldon, IA, Bonnie (Jim) Bylund of League City, TX, Dale (Laurel) Zoet of Sheldon, IA; 11 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; a brother, Jake Zoet of Mesa, AZ; 2 sisters, Marie Arends of Estherville, IA and Grace Luffel of Milton, GA; one sister-in-law, Esther Zoet of Brooklyn Park, MN; and many nieces and nephews.

He was welcomed into Heaven by his parents; son Marvin in infancy, two brothers, Gerrit and Jerry; two brothers-in-law, Louis Arends and George Luffel; sister-in-law, Edna Zoet; and daughter-in-law, Becky Zoet.

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

Lanny De Young

Lanny De Young, age 61 of Spencer, IA passed away at the Spencer Municipal Hospital in Spencer, IA on Sunday, May 6, 2012.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, May 9th at 10:30 a.m. at the First Christian Church in Spencer.  Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery in Spencer, IA.  Rev. Dan Mayes will be officiating.

Visitation will be at the First Christian Church on Tuesday, May 8th starting at 2:00 p.m. with the family present from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday evening at the First Christian Church in Spencer, IA.

Lanny Lon DeYoung was born in Melvin, Iowa, on August 12, 1950, to parents John E. and Irene J. (Jacobsma) DeYoung. In his early years in Melvin, Lanny enjoyed playing baseball, bow hunting, fishing, and could be found from time to time at the Melvin Locker watching the local butcher prepare meats and other products for his customers. Upon his graduation from Melvin High School in 1968, Lanny worked with his father in the family painting business until obtaining employment with the Melvin Locker in 1972. In 1975, Lanny married JoAnn Henderson at the First Christian Church in Spencer, Iowa. In that same year, Lanny purchased the Melvin Locker, which he owned for 23 years. In 1993, Lanny was recognized by the Melvin Area Development Corporation as its “Business of the Month” for his service to his customers and the Melvin Community. Upon selling the business in 1999, Lanny was employed by Spencer Municipal Utilities until his retirement in November of 2011.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Irene DeYoung, and his in-laws Wallace and Wilma (Anderson) Henderson.

He is survived by his wife, JoAnn, his three children, Jennifer, Aaron, and Martha, and his dog, Gracie. Jennifer and her husband, Jim Conard, now reside in North Liberty, Iowa; Aaron resides in Denver, Colorado, and Martha resides in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Lanny is also survived by his brother Terry L. DeYoung (wife Peggy) of Park Rapids, MN, his sister, Vicki J. Perry (husband Denny) of Spirit Lake, Iowa, niece Sara Kovach (family Garret, Emma, and Jack) of Post Falls, Idaho, nephew Tim DeYoung of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and sister-in-law Martha Henderson of Sun City, Arizona.

Lanny’s enjoyment of sports and hunting continued in his adult years as he participated in church league softball and coached each of his children’s youth league baseball or softball teams. Lanny also enjoyed painting homes, and operated a side business called DeYoung Designs. While owning the Melvin Locker, Lanny continued his education by taking classes on nights and weekends at Iowa Lakes Community College. He also continued to be active in his church, serving as a deacon and on several church committees.

In May of 2011, Lanny was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. His diagnosis came shortly after the death of one Lanny’s heroes, Minnesota Twins baseball legend Harmon Killebrew. Always known to have a great sense of humor and a light spirit, Lanny chose to inform some family and friends of his condition by saying, “I guess I might have the chance to play catch with Harmon soon”.

Lanny’s passion for baseball, hunting, and his business were all secondary to the passion he consistently exhibited for his family. He was extremely proud of his children’s successes in athletics, drama, and school, and could be frequently found attending such activities in their high school and college years. Lanny’s love for each of his children, his strength, and his determination were all epitomized as he joined his wife, children, and his entire family at the wedding of his daughter, Jennifer, on May 5, 2012, well beyond the expectations of his care givers.

In his final days, Lanny was together with numerous family and friends, before finally choosing to go play catch with Harmon Killebrew on May 6, 2012.

Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to:  www.sanborn-hartleyfuneralhomes.com

 

 


 

Ruth Janet Reekers

Ruth Janet Reekers, age 80, of Sheldon, Iowa passed away on Friday, May 4, 2012 at the Sanford Sheldon Senior Care in Sheldon, Iowa.

Her service will be 1:00pm Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Sheldon, Iowa with Fr. Allan A. Reicks ~ officiating.  Burial with will be in the St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery in Sheldon.

Visitation will be Monday, May 7, 2012 with the family present from 5:00 – 7:00pm at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Sheldon. A Scripture Wake Service will be at 7:00pm and a Rosary lead by the St. Patrick’s Ladies Guild will be at 7:30pm on Monday at the Church.

In Lieu of flowers the family wishes that all Memorials be directed to St. Patrick Catholic School. Online memorial condolences may be sent to: vanderploegfunerals.com Arrangements under the care of Vander Ploeg Funeral Home, Sheldon, Iowa.

Ruth J. Reekers, the daughter of Charles and Hilda (Dittman) De Roos, was born March 2, 1932 in Hull, Iowa.  She lived and attended school in Sanborn until she was 12 years old, she then moved with her parents to Sheldon where she continued her education.  Ruth was united in marriage to Herbert Reekers on April 19, 1950 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Sheldon, Iowa. Ruth worked at several jobs in her earlier years which included, M&M Grocery, Johnson Café, Hollanders Five & Dime Store and Urban’s Corner Café. She also enjoyed helping her husband with the farm work and volunteering at St. Patrick’s Catholic School. Ruth passed away on Friday, May 4, 2012 at the Sanford Senior Care in Sheldon reaching the age of 80 years, 2 months and 2 days.

Ruth was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Sheldon, the Ladies Guild and of the Missionary Association. She was a Foster Grandparent; she enjoyed gardening, sewing, crocheting, embroidering, bird watching, doing arts and crafts for St. Pat’s School, being in the country and most of all she enjoyed her family.

Ruth is survived by her husband, Herbert of 62 years; and their three children, Barb and her husband, Mike Davis of Sheldon, Iowa; Clark and his wife, Roxie Reekers of Lake Park, Iowa and Linda and her husband, Dan De Jager of Sanborn, Iowa; 6 grandchildren, Herbert and Jessica Heien, Garrison and Libby Reekers, Stacie and Tad Hoeschen, Lori Lewis and her friend, Jamie Johnson, Curt and Mati De Jager, Chris De Jager; step-grandchildren, Shannon and Chet Hofman and Deric and Leeann De Jager; 19 great-grandchildren; a sister, Gladys Brinkman of Sheldon, Iowa and a brother and his wife, Dale and Carolyn De Roos of Washington; a sister-in-law, Lucy De Roos of Algona, Iowa; nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a great-grandson and a brother, Dewain De Roos.

Online Expressions of Sympathy can be sent to: www.vanderploegfunerals.com

Arlin Driesen

Arlin (A.J.) Driesen, age 55, of Sheldon, Iowa passed away on Friday, May 4, 2012, at Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Funeral Services will be Tuesday, May 8, 2012, at 10:30 A.M. at Immanuel Christian Reformed Church in Sheldon. Rev. Kevin Muyskens officiating.

Burial in East Lawn Cemetery in Sheldon.

Visitation will be Monday, May 7, 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.

Arlin (A.J.) Driesen was born on October 18, 1956 in Sioux Center, Iowa. He was the son of Henry J. and Harriet (Gerritsen) Driesen. He lived his youth in rural Hull, Iowa where he attended Hull Christian Grade School and Boyden-Hull High School, where he graduated.

He married Sheri Driesen of Boyden, Iowa on October 21, 1983 in Hull, Iowa. They lived in Hull for two years and then moved to rural Sheldon, where they raised their five children. They later divorced.

Arlin was an over-the-road truck driver. He owned his own trucking business and drove for Van-Hof Trucking, for many years, finishing his career transporting livestock.

Arlin enjoyed spending time with his children. They enjoyed canoeing, cookouts and tent camping together at the Lakes, Yankton, and Paullina.

He cheered for the Green Bay Packers and was an avid stock car and drag racing fan.

Arlin will be remembered as an easy going person who took pride in his business and children and was content with life.

He was a member of Immanuel Christian Reformed Church in Sheldon.

He died Friday, May 4, 2012 at Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Those left to cherish his memories are his children: Adam Driesen of Sheldon, IA, Alex Driesen and fiancée Meagan Van Engen of Omaha, NE, Andrew Driesen of Sioux Falls, SD, Shelby Driesen of Sioux Falls, SD, Shea Driesen of Sheldon, IA; his mother: Harriet Driesen of Royale Meadows Care Center in Sioux Center, IA; one sister: Wilma and husband Bob Brink of Sheldon, IA.

He was preceded in death by his father, Henry Driesen.

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

Evelyn Kamstra

Evelyn Kamstra  age 84 of  Sheldon, Iowa passed away on Thursday, May 24, 2012 at Sanford Sheldon Senior Care in Sheldon, Iowa.

Her services will be 10:30 A.M. on Tuesday, May 29, 2012 at the First Reformed Church in Sheldon, Iowa with Rev. David Brower ~ officiating. Burial will be in the East Lawn Cemetery in Sheldon, Iowa.

Visitation will be Monday, May 28, 2012 after 3:00 P.M. with the family present from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. at the Vander Ploeg Funeral Home in Sheldon.

Online memorial condolences may be sent to: vanderploegfunerals.com. Arrangements under the care of Vander Ploeg Funeral Home, Sheldon, Iowa.