Lon Bruinsma

Lon Bruinsma, 71, of Sioux Center, IA died Thursday, July 14, 2011 at St. Lukes Regional Medical Center of Sioux City. A visitation will be held Monday from 2-7PM with the family present from 5-7PM at the Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center. A prayer service for family and friends will be held Tuesday at 10:15AM at the First Reformed Church of Sioux Center. Interment will follow the prayer service in Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday at 11AM in the Chapel of First Reformed Church of Sioux Center with Rev. Roger Voskuil officiating. The Bruinsma family prefer memorials be directed the Kinsey Elementary Library Fund. Lon James Bruinsma, age 71 of Sioux Center, Iowa passed away peacefully Thursday, July 14, 2011 at a Sioux City hospital with his wife at his side. Lon was born January 12, 1940 in Des Moines, lowa. He was adopted by Lane and Pearl (Wesselink) Bruinsma and came to Sioux Center on August 1, 1941. He graduated from Sioux Center High School in 1958. Lon married Judy Beeck on June 4, 1977 and established their family with two stepsons, Jerry and Jeff on the family farm west of Sioux Center. He graduated from DeVry University in Chicago with a degree in electronics. He worked for Western Electric and AT&T installing micro wave towers. When Lon's father became ill, Lon came home and started his business, Lon's TV & Repair in Sioux Center. He was a Cub Scout and Webelo leader. He enjoyed going with the Central Reformed RCYF outings. Lon has always had a special place in his heart for the Jack & Louise Oliver family, playing Santa for many years. Lon farmed the family farm and raised pigs. He was known for his quality feeder pigs. He volunteered at Kinsey Elementary School for the 2nd grade AR reading program for the last 13 years. All those children were the highlight of his life. He was a member of the Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society of which he was the current president. In his researches he found a half sister in Alabama, 2 nephews, and a niece whom he met last summer. He retired from farming in the early 90's. He enjoyed camping, their lake home, traveling, bird feeding and listening to music. Survivors include his wife of 34 years, Judy Bruinsma of Sioux Center; two stepsons: Jerry (Patti) Beeck of Lincoln, NE and Jeff Beeck of Castle Rock, CO; grandchildren: Turner and Jilian Beeck, step grandchildren: JoNeil (Brian) Walker, Brian (Cara) Piper, step-great grandchildren: Jade and Derek Walker, Mason and Lexi Piper; two sisters: Beth Padgett of Eunice, LA and Faith (Ken) Ostrye of Millbrook, AL. Lon was preceded in death by his parents and mother and father-in-law.