Richard Oostra

Richard Oostra, 94, of Sioux Center died Monday, December 27, 2010 at the Royale Meadows Care Center of Sioux Center. Visitation will be held Thursday from 4-8PM with the family present from 5-7PM at Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center. A prayer service for family and friends will be held Friday December 31, 2010 at 9:15AM at Bethel Christian Reformed Church of Sioux Center with interment to follow in Hope Cemetery of Hull. A memorial service will be held Friday December 31, 2010 at 11AM at the Bethel Reformed Church with Rev. Duane Tinklenberg and Rev. John Hilbelink officiating. In Lieu of Flowers the family prefers memorials be directed to the Royale Meadows Care Center c/o Sioux Center Community Hospital Foundation Riender (Richard) Oostra was born on December 19, 1916, on the family farm north of Hull, Iowa to John and Kate (Van Surksum) Oostra. Richard was the oldest of 13 children. Richard spent his childhood days in the Hull and Doon area working on family farms. On August 27, 1940, he married Geraldine Niezink. They made their home in the Sioux Center area. Richard worked for Sioux Center Coop Gas and Oil before starting his trucking business. Later he worked at the Sioux Center Coop Elevator and Lumber Yard. He was a member of Bethel Christian Reformed Church where he served on the consistory. Richard loved raising livestock, gardening and growing flowers on the farm near Sioux Center. Richard is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Lois and Rev. John R. Hilbelink of Rockford, Illinois; two sons and daughters-in-law: Larry and Twila Oostra of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Dr. Randy and Barb Oostra of Holland, Ohio; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; two sisters: Mary Grooters of Hull, Ruth Van Engen of Sioux Center; four brothers and sisters-in law: William John and Lois Oostra of Winneconne, Wisconsin, Jacob and Teresa Oostra of Rock Valley, Andrew and Wilmina Oostra of Rock Valley and Robert and Muriel Oostra of Hull; sisters-in-law, Marge Niezink of Hudsonville, Michigan and Alice Oostra, of Lynden, Washington as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Richard was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 67 years, Geraldine; an infant son; an infant great-grandchild; sister and brother-in-law, Berdina and Gerrit Van Maanen; five brothers: Andrew Oostra, Marinus Oostra, John Oostra and his wife Liz, Ralph Oostra and his wife Cynthia, Gerald Oostra and his wife Gertrude; two brothers-in-law: Gerrit Van Engen and Bernard Niezink and sister-in-law, Johanna Vis and her husband Henry. Online Condolences Mike Smith Perrysburg Oh. Relationship: Board member Dear Randy, My condolences to you and your family on the loss of your father. Sincerely, Michael Smith Sent: 12/28/2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ronald massey quincy wa Relationship: uncle Our sincere and heart felt sympathies to the family. Rest assured time does heel all hurts and pain. sincerely Ron and Mary Ann Oostra massey Sent: 12/29/2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Amber Sundvold Sioux Falls Relationship: friend Larry and family, I'm so sorry about the loss of your father. Thinking of you.... Sent: 12/29/2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pat Kruse Sioux Falls Relationship: friend You are in my thoughts and prayers. What a wonderful, long life to celebrate. It's never easy, but to know he is without the earthly problems must be a comfort. May you feel God's comfort during this difficult time. Sent: 12/29/2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- John Oostra Ferndale Relationship: nephew To Uncle Rich's family-Heaven has gained a wonderful man!Thinking of you! Sending our love prayers and sincerest sympathy! John and Kathi Oostra. Sent: 12/30/2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Evie Pap Luverne Relationship: neice My sympathy to you in the passing of your dad. Sorry the weather is to bad to be there to remember his life. I mostly remember in our younger years going to Pop and we couldn't wait for Uncle Rich and Aunt Geraldine to come over. Your Dad teased us non stop. I can hear your Mom say now Rich stop teasing those kids, he would sit on a chair between the kitchen and living room waiting to grab us. Pop would always have his hand over the lighter on his ashtray because we loved to play with it. We always had so much fun with your folks. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you today. Love, Evie Sent: 12/31/2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Carroll Ashley Toledo Relationship: Friend Randy, my condolences on the loss of your father. You are in our prays, asking the Lord to provide you comfort in this difficult time. Sent: 1/3/2011