Gert Horstman

Gertrude Horstman, 83, of Sioux Center, IA died Tuesday, February 11, 2014, at Royale Meadows Care Center in Sioux Center. 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 Saturday at 10:30AM at Carmel Reformed Church of rural Rock Valley, IA with Rev. Roger Voskuil officiating. Interment will follow the funeral service in Carmel Cemetery. The Horstman family prefer memorials be directed to The Carmel Reformed Church Library Fund or the Alzheimer's Association. Gertrude Elaine Horstman was born at home February 19, 1930 to Anthony and Gerdena (Vande Berg) Van Ravenswaay. She died February 11, 2014 at Royal Meadows Care Center at the age of 83 years, 11 months and 22 days. Gert attended country school through the 8th grade. She worked at the Co-op Produce candling eggs until her marriage to William Horstman on July 20, 1951. She worked hard as a mother and homemaker, tending to large gardens and enjoying flowers of every kind. Gert enjoyed keeping her hands busy crocheting and sewing and was well known for her homemade bread, cakes and pies. As a teenager, she learned to play the accordion and often played for herself and family. She especially enjoyed gospel music and loved to play Sunday School songs on the piano for her children and grandchildren. Gert was a long time member of Carmel Reformed Church, serving as Librarian and Catechism teacher as well as Ladies Aid Bible study leader. She and her family suffered many trials but her strong faith and trust in the Lord is evident by her well-worn Bible. Gert is survived by her five children and their families: daughter, Amy Hassebroek of Worthington, MN and her daughters, Megan Milstead and her children, McKenzie and Paige of Marshall, MN and Briana and Chris Behrens and their son, Colston of Harrisburg, SD; son, Ron Horstman of Lakewood, CO and his children, Brittney and Nelson Alfaro and their children, Kylan and Kaeden of Miami, FL, Shalee Horstman and Keegan Horstman of Lakewood, CO; son, Earl Horstman and his fiancé, Jody Eggers of Canton, SD and her children, Jennifer and Jesse Johnson and their daughters, Ashlen, Ayleah and Treyton of Sioux Falls, SD and Kari and Tadd Ribstein, and their daughter, Ellie of Sioux Falls, SD; son, Mark and Joyce Horstman and their sons, Jesse and Alex of Beresford, SD; son, John and Jolene Horstman of Sioux Center and their daughters, Amanda of Charter Oak, IA and her fiancé, Garet Friedrichsen, McKayla and Tara of Sioux Center. Also left to cherish her memory are three sisters and brothers-in-law: Carol and Gerrit Koedam of Mesa, AZ; Rena and John Van Voorst of Sioux Center; Mary and Ed Zuschlag of Westminster, CO; two brothers-in-law, Junior Dooyema and Gerrit and Ruth Horstman of Sioux Center; four sisters-in-law, Shirley Van Ravenswaay of Montevideo, MN, Alma and Charles Warren and Sandra Van Ravenswaay of Sioux Center and Evelyn and Leon Koele of Hull, IA; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; two sons: Jerry and Morris; parents-in-law, Joe and Reka Horstman; four brothers: Rich, Ralph, Harold and Anthony Van Ravenswaay and a sister, Alice Dooyema.