Johanna Wilhelmina Voortman

     Johanna Voortman, age 87, of Sioux Center, IA, died Monday, May 28, 2018, at the Royale Meadows Care Center in Sioux Center, IA. 

     Memorial service will be 11:00 AM Friday, June 1, at the First Reformed Church in Sioux Center with Rev. Travis Else officiating.  Prayer service will take place at 10:00 AM at the First Reformed Church before burial at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Sioux Center. 

     Visitation will be Thursday, May 31, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the Memorial Funeral Home in Sioux Center. 

     Johanna Willmina Voortman was born on April 24, 1931, on a farm 2½ miles south of Carmel, IA, the daughter of Joe and Johanna Riphagen.  Johanna attended a one-room, country school near Carmel.  On December 12, 1950, she was united in marriage to John Voortman at the First Reformed Church of Carmel, IA.  The couple spent their first year farming in Clara City, MN. The next 38 years, they farmed near Alvord, IA. The couple retired to Sioux Center, IA, in 1988. To this 58-year union, four children were born:  Everett Joel, Michael Alan, Judith Helene and Marlene Joy.  Johanna was a member of the Doon First Reformed Church while living near Alvord and then the Sioux Center First Reformed Church upon moving to Sioux Center.  She served as a Sunday school teacher and in the Ladies Aid at both churches. Johanna was actively involved in the farming operation with her husband and always had many stories to tell about this time in her life. She loved spending time with her family, both immediate and extended, and enjoyed reading and crocheting upon retirement. 

     Johanna is survived by her four children:  Everett (wife, Donita) Voortman of Austin, TX, Mike (wife, Dorothy) Voortman of McCook, SD, Judy (husband, Craig) Malone of Castle Rock, CO, and Marlene (husband, Steve) Hill of Castle Rock, CO; four grand-daughters: Melanie (husband,  Jamie) Dohrman of Pflugerville, TX, Leslie Voortman of Austin, TX, Tondee (husband, Shawn) Lutterman of Kansas City, MO., and Ashley (husband, Jake) Merrick of Burnsville, MN; three great-grand-children: Brandon, Hailey and Olivia; two brothers:  Bill (wife, Lavonne) Riphagen of Hull, IA, and Gary (wife, Bertha) Riphagen of Doon, IA; brother-in-law, Chuck (wife, Kay) Mulder of Ireton, IA; sister-in-law: Gert Voortman of Escalon, CA; and many, many nieces, nephews and other extended family.

     She was preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Johanna Riphagen; her husband, John Voortman; two sisters and one brother-in-law, Lena Boscaljon and her husband Donald, and Joyce Mulder; and John’s 11 siblings and ten spouses.

     Memorials may be directed to Royale Meadows Care Center in Sioux Center.