Gerald De Weerd

Gerald De Weerd, 86, of Sioux Center, IA died Thursday, October 10, 2013, at the Sioux Center Community Hospital. A visitation will be held on Monday from 4-8PM, with the family present from 5-7PM at the Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux center. A funeral service will be held Tuesday at 10:30AM at Bethel Christian Reformed Church of Sioux Center with Rev. Duane Tinklenberg and Rev. John Lee officiating. Interment will follow the funeral service in Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center. The De Weerd family prefers memorials to Sioux Center Home Health & Hospice or Sioux Center Christian School Foundation. Gerald De Weerd was born May 25, 1927 to Bert and Hattie (Van Holland) De Weerd in Rock Valley, Iowa. During his formative years his family lived on various farms in Sioux County. He attended school in Sioux Center and graduated from Sioux Center High School. After high school, Gerald entered the military serving in the US Army. During his time in the military, he attained the rank of Corporal and served during WWII as a part of the Military Police in Paris, France. On February 25, 1951, Gerald married Gladys Draayer in Sioux Center. After their marriage, the couple made their home in Sioux Center. Gerald was a lifelong member of Bethel Christian Reformed Church. As a member of the church he served as an Elder, Sunday School and catechism teacher and served on the Christian education board. He was a faithful volunteer and member of a variety of boards and organizations. He also enjoyed music, singing in the Bethel Men's Quartet for over 50 years and also in the church choir. Gerald worked for 42 years at CO-OP Gas and Oil as a propane service man. He was a beekeeper for over 50 years. In his free time, he enjoyed gardening, bowling and assembling puzzles. He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and will be dearly missed. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 62 years, Gladys of Sioux Center; 5 children: Stan and Arlis De Weerd of Rock Valley, Bill and Mary Schoep of Sioux Falls, SD, Arlin and Helen De Weerd of Rock Valley, Roger and BJ De Weerd of Maurice and Bernie and Pam Punt of Sioux Center; 15 grandchildren: Jason and Lindy De Weerd, Scott and Noemi De Weerd, Darin and Janelle De Wit, Greg and Allison Blom, Brady and Rhonda Fopma, Laura Schoep, Travis and Larscina De Weerd, Brandon and Shannon De Weerd, Aaron De Weerd, Tyler and Breanne Te Grotenhuis, Branson De Weerd, Richard and Amber Bradshaw, Eric and Tracy Punt, Matt and Brittney Punt, Andrea Huls; 28 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Ann De Weerd of Rock Valley and Helen and her husband John Peuse of Sioux Center and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; two children, Daniel De Weerd and Gail De Weerd; four brothers, Dick, John, Hilbert and Gordon De Weerd; two sisters-in-law, Anna De Weerd and Nellie Altena.