Harlan De Stigter

Harlan De Stigter, 65, of Orange City, IA, died Monday, October 13, 2014, at Mercy Medical Center of Sioux City, Iowa A visitation will be held on Friday from 4-8PM, with the family present from 6-8PM at the Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center. A funeral service will be held on Saturday at 10:00AM at the First Christian Reformed Church of Sioux Center with Rev. Mark Verbruggen officiating. Interment will follow the funeral service in Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center. The De Stigter family prefers memorials to Sioux Center Christian School Foundation or Western Christian High School. Harlan Wayne De Stigter was born on November 24, 1948 to Peter and Myna De Stigter in Sioux Center, Iowa. His childhood home was in Sioux Center and he received his education through the 12th grade at Sioux Center Christian School and Western Christian High School. From 1968 to 1970, Harlan served in the United States Army and Army Reserve. On April 16, 1971, a joyous event took place; Harlan married the love of his life, Jolene Van Roekel in Rock Rapids, Iowa. The couple moved to an acreage near Sioux Center, where they raised five children. He brought up his family in the Lord and was a member of First CRC in Sioux Center where he served as a Deacon on numerous occasions. Harlan worked hard his whole life as a mason and a handyman, helping construct many homes, schools, churches and other buildings in Northwest Iowa. When he was at home, he spent much of his time doing the things he loved, and cherished spending time with those he loved. His grand-kids brought much joy to his life, especially the many comical and life-learning moments together. Harlan enjoyed raising a variety of animals on the acreage. The animals he cared for include sheep, a llama, and a variety of exotic birds. Much of his time was spent working on the house or woodworking in his shop. He also enjoyed tending to his vegetable garden and multiple flower gardens. Harlan is survived by his wife of 43 years, Jolene De Stigter of Orange City; five children: Jeff and Lynn De Stigter of Hull, Jody (De Stigter) and Walter Henry of Davenport, IA, Sheila De Stigter of Sioux Center, Tanya (De Stigter) and Fernando Alvarez of Sioux Center, and Chad De Stigter of Houston, TX; five grandchildren: Tyler Henry, Amanda Henry, Kenzee De Stigter, Omar Alvarez and Eva Alvarez. Also left to cherish his memory are five siblings: Winette (De Stigter) and Jon McEwen of Smithers, British Columbia, Jerome De Stigter of Sioux Center, Bernie and Beth De Stigter of Lennox, SD, Doug and Lorie De Stigter of Sioux Center, Bev (De Stigter) and Robin Miller of Gilbert, AZ; brothers-in-law: Ken and Glenda Van Roekel of Sioux Falls, SD, Nelson Van Roekel of Rock Valley, Marty Van Roekel of Sioux Falls and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Myna (Vis) De Stigter; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Anthony and Winnie Van Roekel, a brother, Ronald De Stigter; sister-in-law, Pat Van Roekel; a granddaughter, Kelcee De Stigter and nephew, Brady De Stigter.