Percy Bylsma

Percy Bylsma, 89, of Sioux Center, went to his heavenly home on Tuesday, April 8, 2008. He had been lving at Royale Meadows Care Center of Sioux Center since January 4, 2008.

A funeral service will be held Friday at 10:30AM at First Christian Reformed Church of Sioux Center with Rev. Carl Klompien and Rev. Mark Verbruggen officiating. Interment will follow the funeral service in Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center.

Visitation will be held Thursday from 2-8pm with the family present from 6-8pm at the Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center.

The Bylsma Family prefers memorials be directed to the Ireton Christian School or Unity Christian High School.



Percy Bylsma was born on September 7, 1918, to Arie and Jenny Bylsma in Minnertsga, Friesland, The Netherlands. When he was two years old the family immigrated to the United States, landing on Ellis Island. The family settled in Hull, Iowa. Percy attended Hull Christian School and as a teenager was a hired man for Henry and Bertha Bomgaars. He was drafted into the Army on July 9, 1941. He fought during World War II from 1944 until his honorable discharge in 1946, achieving the rank of captain.

On April 9, 1944, before going overseas, Percy and Alice Beukelman were united in marriage at Fort Bragg, NC. They would have celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary on Wednesday.

After his time in the military, he spent many years farming, first by Sioux Center and later 34 years near Ireton. Percy and Alice retired in Sioux Center in 1985. For years he tended to all the city flower beds along US Hwy 75 and drove supply truck for P&H Wholesale.

He served as elder and deacon at the Ireton Christian Reformed Church and served on the school boards of Ireton Christian School and Unity Christian High School. He also served on various CO-OP boards and was an active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Percys faith and deep enduring love for the Lord was evident in all he did and in how he lived his life.

Survivors include his beloved wife, Alice Bylsma of Sioux Center; son, Alvin and his wife, Brenda Bylsma of Hull; three daughters: Linda and her husband, Tom Juhl of Orange City, Laura Hale of Sioux Center, Ruth and her husband, Fred Brown of Orange City; 12 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; a sister, Irene and her husband, Harry Sheng of Redlands, CA; and a sister-in-law, Berdena Bylsma of Hull.

He was preceded in death by an infant son, Norman; sister, Mina and her husband, Frank Gerritsen, four brothers: Adam in infancy, Peter and his wife, Jeanette, Louie and his wife, Julia and Adolf Bylsma.