Earle Wayne Bruinsma

Earle Wayne Bruinsma was born July 19, 1934 in Sioux Center, Iowa to Sam and Gladys (Boeyink) Bruinsma. Wayne was raised in Sioux Center and attended Sioux Center High School. Wayne served in the US Marine Corps from July 1953 to July 1956. He was stationed in Okinawa, Japan as a cook following the Korean War and received the rank of Sergeant.

 On July 29, 1960 he was united in marriage to Mardrana “Mardy” Van Veldhuizen at the Christian Reformed Church parsonage in Hills, Minnesota. Following their marriage Wayne and Mardy settled in Sioux Center. Wayne first worked for the City of Sioux Center, followed by four years at the Sioux Center Co-Op Creamery. He then drove milk truck for many years for AMPI, hauling Grade A milk to Wells Dairy in Le Mars, Iowa.

As a young man Wayne was known in the area as a talented baseball player. He was a devoted Atlanta Braves fan throughout his life. He was fond of fishing trips to Lake of the Woods and enjoyed traveling on bus trips.

 Surviving is his wife of 55 years, Mardy Bruinsma of Sioux Center; daughter, Tammra Bruinsma of Sioux Center; son, James Bruinsma of Jacksonville, NC; three grandchildren and four great grandchildren; four brothers: Sam Bruinsma of Sioux Center, Robert (Lorna) Bruinsma of Sioux Falls, Joel Bruinsma of Sioux Center, Randy (Rita) Bruinsma of Battle Lake, MN; three sisters: Alda (Bill) Severson of Sioux Falls, Nancy De Bondt of Sioux Center, Judi (Gary) Wilson of Sioux Falls; in-laws: Bernie (Jean) Van Veldhuizen of Northwood, IA, Gene (Alvina) Van Veldhuizen of Roseville, MN, Erv (Marty) Van Veldhuizen of Dickinson, ND, Dwenda (Gene) Gjerdingen of Roseville, MN, Loann (Bruce) Oyen of Spearfish, SD, Dave (Yvonne) Van Veldhuizen of Waukon, IA, Lenora (Gary) Fredman of Pillager, MN, Lorna Van Veldhuizen of Brainerd, MN, David (JoAnn) Van Veldhuizen of St. Cloud, MN; numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by an infant daughter, Debra Kay Bruinsma; his parents; brothers: Byron, Dave, Paul and Frank Bruinsma; brother and sister-in-law, Stan and Mary Bruinsma; sister-in-law, Donna Bruinsma and brother-in-law, Tom De Bondt.