Esther Plantage

Esther Plantage, 86, of Sioux Center, IA, died Friday, February 12, 2016, at Royale Meadows Care Center in Sioux Center.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday from 4-8PM, with the family present from 5:30-7PM at the Central Reformed Church of Sioux Center.

A prayer service for family and friends will be held on Wednesday at 10:00AM at the Central Reformed Church of Sioux Center. Interment will follow the prayer service in Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday at 11:00AM at the Central Reformed Church of Sioux Center with Rev. R. Van Rathbun officiating.

The Plantage family prefers memorials in care of the Plantage family to be used for a college scholarship fund for students of Sioux Center High School pursuing a degree in education.

There is an irony that the lover of U.S. history and teacher to thousands passed away on Lincoln's birthday, February 12, 2016. Mom would have been gratified if her former students recalled that date as significant. Esther Eunice Koerselman Plantage was born on March 16, 1929. The Depression baby, a child of Emma (Smit) and Gerrit Koerselman, was born into a family of 4 siblings (later a 6th sibling was added) in rural Middleburg, Iowa. Her early life was centered on family, friends, and her church. At age 17 the family moved to Sioux Center, Iowa, with Esther graduating from high school. The next summer she took a college teaching class and began her teaching career that same fall in country schools. She often said that teaching in country school led to recurring dreams (nightmares) of needing to be the custodian, carpenter, teacher, cook, Phys. Ed., playground and drama teacher as well as preparing lessons for eight grades. Her 42 - year teaching career allowed her to instruct three generations of students for the Sioux Center School system, while at the same time work towards her own B.A. degree from Westmar College. Esther married her high school sweetheart, Bill Plantage, shortly after WWII. They enjoyed a wonderful marriage that spanned over 50 years. Together they enjoyed traveling, fishing, camping and any activity that included family and fun. There were many summer picnics with family friends and holiday parties held in houses filled with relatives. During that time, Bill and Esther considered it a blessing to raise two children, Anita (Dave) Bomgaars, of Orange City, Iowa and Brent, (Lori De Stigter) Plantage of Sioux City, Iowa. Later, 5 grandchildren and two great grandchildren entered Esther's life. Grandma Esther or Grandma GG as the greats loved to call her, stayed very involved with all their lives creating wonderful family traditions and serving as a constant reminder to them that developing a close relationship with a loving God should be their most important life goal. The grandchildren are Megan (Ben) Roos, Beckett and Mila of Iowa City, Iowa, Christopher Bomgaars Miami, Florida, Curtis (Claudia Soto) Bomgaars, Austin, Texas, Dillon Plantage, Arlington, Virginia and Drew Plantage, West Des Moines, Iowa. Esther will also be missed by her many nieces and nephews as she became a matriarch to the Koerselman family later in life. She was a faithful member of Central Reformed Church and a faithful, loyal friend to many, being active in church and community as long as she was able. Grandma Esther was known as a game player and cross-word puzzle expert. Whenever there was an event at her house, there was a game to be played. She loved to involve any group in a competitive, spirited board or card game. It was a difficult decision for her to move out of the apartment that allowed for one room dedicated just to fun. Most importantly, her legacy will be that of a woman dedicated to her Lord Jesus Christ and dedicated to "instructing" her children, grandchildren and thousands of Sioux Center students. Esther encouraged all to become learners of life's most important values and instilled a respect for our country.

Those special family members that passed before her were; her dearly beloved husband, Bill in 2006,her parents and parents- in-law, Bill and Sadie Plantage, family members; Cornie, Elizabeth, Gary and Leona Koerselman, Bill and Teneva Kroon, Marion Wissink, and Gene Dornbush, several nephews and one niece.

Brother and sisters left to cherish her memory are; Cliff and Verda Koerselman, LeMars, Iowa, Gerdena Wissink, Sioux Center, Iowa and Betty Dornbush, Huron SD.

Go with God, Mom.