Gertrude Visser

Gertrude Visser, 88, of Sioux Center, IA died Sunday, March 21, 2010 at Royale Meadows Care Center in Sioux Center. A visitation will be Wednesday from 4-8PM, with the family present from 6-8PM at Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center. A funeral service will be held Thursday at 10:30AM at First Christian Reformed Church of Sioux Center, with Rev. Mark Verbruggen officiating. Interment will follow the service in Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center. The Visser family prefer memorials to the Sioux Center Christian School or CHEARS Home Health & Hospice. Gertrude Johanna Henrietta (Van Ingen) Visser was born in Raymond, Minnesota on December 12, 1921 to Garret and Hendrika (Vanden Berg) Van Ingen. Gertrude attended country school for 2½ years before moving to Benson, Minnesota. There she attended school through the 9th grade. After her father's death in 1937 she and her mother moved to Brooten, Minnesota where she graduated from high school in 1940. Gertude went on to attend Central College in Pella, Iowa where she received a teaching degree. Following graduation she taught high school business classes for four years in Newkirk and Alton, Iowa. On June 26, 1947, she was united in marriage to John A. Visser at the Alton Reformed Church. Gertrude and John made their home in Sioux Center, Iowa and were blessed with five children. Following John's unexpected death on February 10, 1964, Gertrude managed several different jobs during the next 20 years; she was a substitute teacher in area high schools, the manager of Dordt College Bookstore, served as the secretary to the president of Dordt College and finally became a librarian at Dordt before retiring in 1984. Gertrude enjoyed traveling, especially to the Netherlands to visit her cousin Janna Homan, who was like a sister to her. Currently, Gertrude was a member of the First Christian Reformed Church of Sioux Center and made her residence at Royale Meadows Care Center. Gertrude is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Garret and Betty Visser of Sioux Center; two daughters and sons-in-law: Lisa and Ron Leusink of Orange City and Miriam and Frank Sloup of Sioux Center; son-in-law, Ron Bajunpaa of New York Mills, MN along with her 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Also surviving is her step sister, Dena Palsma of Alton; step sister and step brother-in-law, Bertha and Norman Eason of Alton; step brother and step sister-in-law, Pete and Geri Aberson of Alton and step sister-in-law, Ethel Aberson of Orange City. In addition to her husband, Gertrude was preceded in death by a stillborn infant son, Howard Visser; her daughter, Nancy Bajunpaa; a step brother, Tony Aberson and step brother-in-law, Dave Palsma. Online Condolences Janna DeGroot-Van Driel Smithers Relationship: former neighbor My sympathy to Lisa, Miriam, and the rest of the family on the passing of your mom. She was a lovely lady, very welcoming to our family in earlier years. Sent: 3/21/2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arnola Broek Wynia Sioux Center Relationship: former neighbor I am sorry to hear about your mom. Our mom's had a lot of good times together. We will keep you in our prayers Sent: 3/22/2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Leland and Jean Foreman Fremont Relationship: cousin Garret,Lisa and Miriam, Our sympathy to you all as you mourn the death of you Mom. We remember lots of good times going to Sioux Center to visit. I also remember that Nancy let me use her prom dress for my prom. Our prayers are with you as you lay your dear Mom to rest. Love, Leland and Jean Sent: 3/22/2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sandy Marienau Hawarden Relationship: Friend of Frank and Miriam Miriam,we are so sorry to hear of the loss of your Mom. Our prayers are with you,may you gain from our Heavenly Father and know she is now Well again and watching over you. Chuck and Sandy Sent: 3/23/2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nolan Palsma Ridgewood Relationship: nephew/cousin Garret, Lisa, Miriam and family: It has been a while since we all gathered for the holidays and other family events but those memories remain. As you grieve your mother's loss, I pray that you celebrate her life as well. The peace of Christ be with you. Sent: 3/23/2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gerrit & Jacqueline Homan Dodewaard Relationship: Family Garret,Lisa and Miriam, and family Our sympathy to you all, with the lost of your Mother. Our Condolence to you all. We hope you have the strangt to suffer this lost. Sent: 3/24/2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Patric & Bertha Moorman Ochten Relationship: Family Dear family, Hereby we would like to offer our sincerest condolences on the loss of your mother. We wish you all the best in these difficult times. Patric, Bertha, Stefanie en Manon Moorman. Sent: 3/24/2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- truus arie arien henri jansen dodewaard Relationship: familie lieve familie onze condolences met het verlies van jullie moeder onze gertrude uit amerika wij wensen jullie heel veel sterkte toe met het verwerken met het verdriet het zal een groot gemis worden voor jullie maar ik denk dat ze elkaar al hebben ontmoed bij de heere god veel liefs van ons truus en arie en the boys Sent: 3/25/2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stef en Ina Homan Dodewaard Relationship: Familie Gecondoleerd met het verlies van jullie moeder want ze blijft altijd in onze herrinnering. het verblijf van ons in Amerika zullen wij nooit vergeten. veel sterkte in deze moeilijke dagen God bless jou Sent: 3/28/2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stef en Ina Homan Dodewaard Relationship: Familie Gecondoleerd met het verlies van Moeder wij wensen jullie alle sterkte toe in deze moeilijke tijd. we zullen je moeder nooit vergeten en de tijd dat wij in Amerika zijn geweest.God bless de familie. Sent: 3/28/2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hans en Danielle van Amersfoort Ochten Netherlands Relationship: far relative Dear Garret and family,our sympathy to you all, with the lost of your Mother. I remember the holidays we spent at your mom`s home, when i was a little boy. Gertrude was a loving person. We wish you the strength, to carry this great lost. Sent: 3/29/2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hans & Greet van Amersfoort Ochten Relationship: Family Dear Garret, Betty and family, We would like to offer our sincerest condolences on the loss of your mother. We know how it feels. We wish you a lot of strength to overcome this great loss. Lots of love, Hans & Greet van Amersfoort. Sent: 4/26/2010