Gary Te Stroete

Gary L Te Stroete ,79, Sioux Center, Iowa passed away September 25, 2016 at Sioux Center Health Hospital surrounded by his family.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday from 5-8 PM, with the family present from 5:30-7:30 PM at the First Reformed Church of Sioux Center.

Wednesday September 28, there will be a 10 AM prayer service at the First Reformed Church of Sioux Center with interment to follow in Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday at 11:00AM at the First Reformed Church of Sioux Center with Pastor Travis Else and Pastor Jamie Dykstra officiating.

Gary began his journey on earth on May 2, 1937.   Born into the family of Henry (Hemp) and Harriet (Vanden Berg) Te Stroete, he grew up in Hospers, Iowa, with one sister, Joyce (Reekers). His entire immediate family preceded him in death.


Gary married the love of his life, Arloa Korver on August 10, 1960. They had three children:  Ruth who married Al Vermeer, Renae who married Terry Schuiteman, and Scott who married Sally (Dykshorn).  They were also blessed with 13 grandchildren - Blake, Sara, Jana Vermeer; Maria (Michael) Gallagher, Rachel (Jon) Eveland, Julie (fiance’ Blake Boone), Emily, Erica, Amy Schuiteman, along with Anna Maassen; Katie, Kyle, Brooke Te Stroete.


After graduating from South Dakota State University, Gary and Arloa first moved to Manchester, Iowa, later to settle in Sioux Center in 1965. Together they built Arlo Farms, where they raised and sold many sheep, dogs and horses in the years since. Gary also worked for Production Credit Association until 1979 in both the Sioux Center and Inwood offices.


Gary was a friendly, outgoing man, and loved life.  He had many passions, foremost of which were being a Man of God, devoted husband, father and grandfather.  His greatest joy was spending time with the entire family. A story, joke or prank was never far away. He also had a love for many kinds of animals; sheep, dogs and horses. Cross breeding animals with different traits to bring out the best in them brought him great fulfillment.  He not only raised them, but took great pride in judging many local, regional and national sheep shows.  He earned that right by winning the National Collegiate Livestock Judging Championship at SDSU in 1962.

Gary is survived by his wife and children, in-laws, Fred Reekers, Rev. Harold and Shirley Korver, Ruth Korver, Bill and Frances Korver, Harriet Brouwer, Gladys and Dave Vander Berg, and several nieces and nephews.

Even though Gary's life here has ended, his legacy of honesty and integrity lives on through everyone he touched. We will miss him greatly, but heaven has gained a new, bright star.