Bill Brantsen

William “Bill” Brantsen, 89, of Sioux Center, IA, died Thursday, January 28, 2016, at his residence in Sioux Center.

A visitation will be held on Sunday from 2-8PM, with the family present from 2-4PM at the Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center.

A funeral service will be held on Monday at 10:00AM at the First Reformed Church of Sioux Center with Dr. Sherwin Brantsen officiating. Interment will follow the funeral service in Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center.

William Jr. Brantsen was born on October 4, 1926 to William Sr. and Minnie (Dykshoorn) Brantsen. Bill was raised on the family farm just west of Sioux Center and attended country school through eighth grade after which he worked on the farm alongside his father. Bill and his family proudly accepted a Century Farm designation in 2012 at the Iowa State Fair.

On May 24, 1955 he married Wilma Achterhoff in Rock Valley Christian Reformed Church. They enjoyed 60 years of marriage living on the farm until moving to Sioux Center in 1991. Bill passed away at home surrounded by his family on January 28, 2016. He was 89 years 3 months and 24 days old.

Bill was a lifelong member of First Reformed Church in Sioux Center. He will be remembered for his solid faith and love for Jesus Christ.

Bill enjoyed farming and riding his bike with his grandchildren. He loved to drive his pickup to Sioux City for fun. For over 20 years he enjoyed meeting friends at the mall for coffee. Bill will forever be cherished for his mischievous sense of humor. He was happiest when spending time with his family and friends.

Bill is survived by his wife, Wilma, and his three daughters, two sons, thirteen grandchildren, and one great granddaughter.

Dr. Sherwin and Diane Brantsen of Muskegon, MI and their family:
Jonathan Brantsen
Dr. Jennifer (Brantsen) and Matthew Clifford
Joel Brantsen
Julia Brantsen and Lance Kinstner
Jayme Brantsen

Marcia and Wesley Donaghu of Sioux City, IA and their family:
Demaree Donaghu
Justin Donaghu and Elizabeth Howard

Ruth Brantsen and Jeff Ressler of Albuquerque, NM and her family:
Emily McGlashon and Ryan Sowers, and their daughter Marie
Jacob McGlashon and Dr. Jenny Jiao

Bonnie Galanes and Arthur Ensley of O’Fallon, MO and their family:
Cassandra Galanes
Gavin Galanes

Brian Brantsen of Sioux Center, IA and his family:
Makinsy Brantsen and Kyle Donlin
Jordan Brantsen

Bill is also survived by his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Aldine (Achterhoff) and Bill Van Regenmorter and Bertha (Achterhoff) and Pete Mol all of Sioux Center.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; brother and sister-in-law: John and Hermina Brantsen; sister and brother-in-law, June and Roy Carwell; a brother-in-law, James Achterhoff; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Lucille (Achterhoff) and Bill Lammers in addition to his granddaughter, Danielle McGlashon and grandson Wesley Robert Donaghu.