Russ Wichers

Russell Wichers, 82, of Sioux Center, IA, died Thursday, May 14, 2015, at Royale Meadows Care Center in Sioux Center. A visitation will be held on Sunday from 2-8PM, with the family present from 5-8PM at the Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center. A funeral service will be held on Monday at 10:00AM at the New Life Reformed Church of Sioux Center with Rev. Dan Kruse officiating. Interment will follow the funeral service in Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center. The family prefers memorials to Words of Hope, Sioux Center Home Health & Hospice or New Life Reformed Church. Russell Duane Wichers was born September 6, 1932 at Maurice, Iowa, to Garrett and Margaret (Popma) Wichers. Russell was raised and educated at Maurice. On January 24, 1956 he was united in marriage to Geneva Van Der Weide at her parent's home near Boyden, Iowa. During his younger years, Russell worked in Alton at Slagles Ready Mix, in Sioux Center for Farmers Coop Society and Skelly Service Station. Later he farmed and milked dairy cows near Sioux Center. He drove truck for several years for Joe's Ready Mix. He had been a member of Maurice First Reformed Church and more recently a member of New Life Reformed Church in Sioux Center. Over the years he served as a greeter, usher and assisted at church functions. He and Geneva enjoyed Square Dancing and Russ was an experienced small aircraft pilot. In his spare time he enjoyed outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, water skiing and riding motorcycle. He was fond of spending time with family. Surviving is his wife of 59 years, Geneva Wichers of Sioux Center; ten children and spouses: Barbara and Larry Lucht of Storm Lake, Valerie and Perry Dykstra of Le Mars, Roger and Audrey Wichers of Orange City, Gary and Donna Wichers of Rock Valley, Pamela and Steve Stienstra of Mesa, AZ, Teresa and Dale Kurth of Wever, IA, Marjorie Wichers of Sioux Center, Patty Kossak of Mesa, AZ, Daniel Wichers of Hospers, Russell Jr. and Lynn Wichers of Boyden along with 39 grandchildren and 53 great grandchildren. Russ is also survived by nine brothers and sisters: Marlin (Darlene) Wichers of Orange City, Betty (Rev. Frank) Pott of Parkersburg, IA, Lola Heys of Campobello, NC, Alma (Donald) Engeltjes of Orange City, Myron (Bonnie) Wichers of Vancouver, WA, Donald (Nancy) Wichers of Redwood Falls, MN, Leon (Lois) Wichers of Sioux Center, Allen (Eileen) Wichers of Maurice, Robert (Wanda) Wichers of Orange City and numerous nieces and nephews. Russ was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters: Joyce (Jake) Siemonsma and Irene (Carl) Zeublis and a nephew, Ricky Wichers.