Johanna Zomermaand

Johanna Zomermaand, 88, of Struble, Iowa died Monday, March 12, 2012 at the Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. A visitation will be held Wednesday from 4-8PM, with the family present from 5-7PM at the Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center, IA. A prayer service for family and friends will be held Thursday at 9:30AM at the Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center. Interment will follow the prayer service in Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center. A memorial service will be held Thursday at 11AM at Calvin Christian Reformed Church of Le Mars, IA with Rev. Ken Vander Ploeg officiating. The Zomermaand family prefers memorials to Calvin CRC Fifth Grade Bible Fund or Bible League International. Johanna Zomermaand was born July 23, 1923 to Henry and Mary (Kuhl) Niessink in Sioux Center, Iowa. She attended country school through the eighth grade. On April 5, 1943, she was joined in marriage to Gerrit Zomermaand of Sioux Center. The couple exchanged their vows in South Mills, South Carolina while Gerrit was in the US Army. After Gerrit's discharge from the service, the couple moved to a farm one mile east of Sioux Center. In 1963, they moved to a farm near Struble, IA. Johanna was a faithful helper on the farm and loving caregiver when Gerrit became ill in 1969. The couple remained on the farm until 1975 when they moved into Struble. On March 9, 2006, Gerrit went home to be with his Lord when he died peacefully at home in Struble. While living in the Sioux Center area, Johanna was a member of Bethel Christian Reformed Church and then after moving to Struble she became a devoted member of Calvin Christian Reformed Church of Le Mars. Johanna was involved with the World Home Bible League and the church prayer chain. She and Gerrit faithfully presented Bibles to the 5th Grade Sunday school class every year. She enjoyed doing crocheting, making afghans, baby hats and blankets. Her love of music was evident when she would sing or play the mandolin. Johanna is survived by six children and their spouses: Garald and Karen Zomermaand of Polk City, IA, Mary and John Van Hill of Le Mars, Henry and Sharon Zomermaand of Maurice, Jan and Bob Hughes of Struble, Chuck and Elaine Zomermaand of Struble, Bonnie and Ken Hunter of Harris, IA.; 21 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; 2 great great-grandchildren; a step-brother, Derrick Koele of Sioux Center; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gerrit Zomermaand; parents; a daughter, Nelva Jo; son-in-law, Steven Swier; grandson, Kelly Zomermaand; two brothers and sisters-in-law: Louie and Gertrude Niessink, Charles and Wilmina Niessink.