Wayne E. Juffer

Wayne "Rocky" Juffer, 80 of Sioux Center died Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at the Sioux Center Community Hospital of Sioux Center. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 4-8PM, with the family present from 5-7PM at Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center. A prayer service will be held Thursday at 10AM at Central Reformed Church. Interment will follow the prayer service in Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center. A memorial service will be held Thursday at 11AM at Central Reformed Church with Rev. R. Van Rathbun officiating. In Lieu of flowers the family prefer memorials be directed to Atlas of Sioux Center. Wayne Evan Juffer, known to many as Rocky, was born on August 3, 1930, in Sioux Center, Iowa, the son of Elmer and Tracy (VanDriel) Juffer. He lived his entire life in Sioux Center. Wayne graduated from Sioux Center High School in 1948. He excelled in high school basketball and baseball. After high school he was an outstanding pitcher for the town team known as "The Packers." Later he coached that team. After numerous years, his former players love talking about the fun times they had. Wayne served his country as an infantryman of A Company, First Infantry Battalion, First Marine Division during the Korean War from 1952-1954. Wayne was given the nickname Rocky by his platoon sergeant. After Wayne returned from Korea, he worked for his dad at Juffer Produce. In 1959 Wayne started working for the Sioux Center Post Office. He worked there for 30 years. Wayne was a life-long member of Central Reformed Church where he was an elder. Wayne could relate to all ages. He was effective at reaching out to the elderly through visits and bulletin deliveries. When he was in his 70's, the high school youth group asked him to be their sponsor. His supportive nature and sense of humor were bookmarks of Wayne. Wayne also enjoyed his "Old McDonald Farm", an acreage where he raised chickens and had a wide variety of other animals. Two generations of children have loved not only going to see the animals but also having a freeze pop or dilly bar from Wayne's well stocked freezer. When Sioux Center had their pond, Wayne faithfully supplied the pond with ducks, geese and swans. He was a longtime member of Legion Post 199 and VFW Post 6129. He proudly carried the colors at numerous football games and Memorial Day services. After retiring Wayne was actively involved in Atlas and many support groups where he used his lifetime experiences to mentor others. He will be remembered for his unselfish willingness to be there for others, his nonjudgmental attitude and his unconditional love. Wayne also enjoyed spending time with young people. He could be seen at many sporting events and other activities of his nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and other young people he knew. Wayne also enjoyed listening to children read at Kinsey Elementary School. Wayne will be lovingly remembered by a brother Ron Juffer and his wife Peg of Orange City, Iowa, and their children Julie (Juffer) Russo and her husband Jeff of Chicago, Illinois,and Jane Juffer and her husband Grant Farred of Ithaca, New York; a sister Linda TeGrotenhuis and her husband Gary of Orange City, Iowa, and their children Jeff TeGrotenhuis of DesMoines, Iowa, Kris (TeGrotenhuis) Olson and her husband Jason of Estherville, Iowa, and Todd TeGrotenhuis and his wife Diane of Orange City, Iowa; 13 great nieces and nephews; the family of Henry Byl; cousin and good friend Ken DeVos. Wayne was preceded in death by his father Elmer and mother Tracy.