Emma Roskam

     Burial will follow in the Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center.

     Visitation will be Thursday, June 22nd from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. with family present from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center.

     Memorials may be directed to: Netherland Reformed Christian School, Rock Valley, IA or Sioux Center Health Parkinson’s Awareness Support Group.

     Emma was born on Nov. 27, 1926 to Rochus & Jennie (Harskamp)     Schelling on a farm one mile west of Lebanon, IA. She attended a one-room country school through the 8th grade. She helped on the farm and especially enjoyed picking corn by hand. On Dec 2, 1947, Emma sewed her own      wedding dress and married Gerrit Roskam at the Lebanon home. Emma and Gerrit started married life living in an apartment in Sioux City and worked in a meat packing plant.  They then farmed together renting farms near Doon, IA, Fairview, SD, Struble, IA and Sioux Center, IA area. They also worked together in the family trucking business before retirement. Emma loved working outdoors whenever possible and tended large vegetable gardens. In 1976 and 1977, Emma won the Living Histories Farm Ladies Division Hand Corn Husking contests in Des Moines.  Gerrit & Emma raised six children, Arlene, Ron, Dave, Jeff, Gloria and Al and raised Darlene Aberson and    Donna Van Roekel-Calderon as their own. Emma and Gerrit also opened their home to several Dordt College students who continued to be friends.

     Emma’s home was always open to visitors and there was always room for more around the table for a meal, cup of coffee and a sweet treat.  She was known for making Balken Brei, a Dutch breakfast food.  Emma’s hands were always busy-gardening, canning, baking, and sewing.  Emma also mothered many other families through her work with Homemaker Health.

     She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Gerrit Roskam of Sioux Center, IA; daughter, Arlene Van Schepen of Hull, IA; sons, Ronald (Julie) Roskam of North Liberty, IA, David (Dot) Roskam of Sioux Center, IA, Jeffrey (Patty) Roskam of Wichita, KS; daughter, Gloria (Gary) Kruid of Sioux Center, IA; son, Alvin (Kim) Roskam of Wasilla, AK; foster daughters, Darlene(Will) Aberson of Orange City, IA and Donna (Hector) Van Roekel-Calderon of Goodyear, AZ; siblings, Henrietta Knibbe of Sioux Center, IA, Gilbert (Wilma) Schelling of Sioux Center, IA, Jeane Zomer, of Rock Valley, IA, Joane Zomer of Sioux Center, IA, and John R (LaVonne) Schelling of Sioux Center, IA; 20 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; nieces nephews and other extended family members.

     Emma was preceded in death by her parents, Rochus and Jennie Schelling; son-in-law, Randy Van Schepen; brother, Cornelius (Case) Schelling; sister, Alida Ymker; 4 year old brother, Jan, 12 year old brother, John; infant sister, Fredrika; 7 year old brother, William, and an infant child; brothers-in-laws, Edward Ymker, Klaas Knibbe, Cornie Zomer, Herman Zomer; sister-in-law, Gertrude Schelling.

CONGREGATIONAL MUSIC

“A Mindful God” Psalter #281

“Our Unsleeping Guardian” Psalter #345

Harold Schelling, Organist

HONORARY CASKET BEARERS

Terry Aberson    Benjamin Calderon

ACTIVE CASKET BEARERS

Joel Van Schepen    Tyler Roskam    Derrick Roskam

Travis Roskam    Jeremy Kruid    Ian Roskam