Jim Warntjes

Jim Warntjes, 79, of rural Sheldon, IA, died unexpectedly Sunday, September 5, 2010 at the University Hospital in Iowa City, IA. A visitation will be held Thursday at the First Reformed Church of Hospers from 4-9PM, with the family present from 7-9PM. A funeral service will be held Friday at 10:30AM at the First Reformed Church of Hospers with Rev. Milton Sikkema and Rev. Dr. Brian Janssen officiating. Interment will follow the service in Greenwood Cemetery of Matlock, IA. Memorials may be made in Jim's memory to the Bible League or the American Heart Association. Elmer James Warntjes was born on June 11, 1931, in Boyden, Iowa, son of Henry and Jennie (Nettinga) Warntjes. He attended country school near Sheldon and graduated from Newkirk High School. On August 1, 1956, he married Esther M. Roghair at the First Reformed Church in Sioux Center. Jim attended the First Reformed Church in Hospers, where he served on the consistory and held other offices. He was an active supporter of the Gideon's and Bible League. He enjoyed his life's work as a farmer for over 50 years. He liked to spend time traveling with his wife Esther, attending farm sales, reading, and visiting with family and friends. Jim and Esther also enjoyed many winters together in South Texas. He will be remembered for his quick wit and dry sense of humor. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Esther, of 54 years; a son, Steve, and his wife, Susan of Austin, Texas; a daughter, Rachel, and her husband, Francis Miller of Iowa City, Iowa; four grandchildren: Hannah Warntjes, and Matthew, Aaron, and Miriam Miller; and one sister, Janice and husband, Willard Te Grootenhuis of Hospers, Iowa. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and sister and brother-in-law, Susan and Norman Gramstad. Online Condolences Milly Vander Maten Boyden Relationship: Sr. Saint Singer Esther, my heartfelt sympathy to you. I will be remembering you in my prayers. God will get you through this. Lean heavily on Him. Milly Sent: 9/7/2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gene Bras Pomona Relationship: Church Friend Warntjes Family, So sorry to hear of your loss. You will be in my prayers. Gene Bras Sent: 9/7/2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mark Anderson Iowa City Relationship: colleague of the Millers Please accept my sincere sympathy for your loss. Sent: 9/8/2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pixie Balt Hospers Relationship: friend Dear Esther, Steve, Rachel, and families: I was saddened to hear of your loss and wanted to extend my sympathies to you. I pray the Holy Spirit will comfort you in the days ahead. God bless you all. Sent: 9/11/2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Muriel Gritters Sioux Center Relationship: cousin Our sympathies to you Esther and your family on the loss of your husband and father. May God give you strength to face these days ahead. We have been out of town visiting our son in New York. Sent: 9/12/2010