Jean Arlene Bierma

JEAN ARLENE BIERMA, 86, of Sioux Center, Iowa died Thursday, 11/23, at the Royale Meadows Care Center in Sioux Center.

A memorial service will be held Monday, 11/27, at 11am at the Central Reformed Church of Sioux Center with Rev. R. Van Rathbun and Rev. Marilyn Rensink officiating. Interment will be held prior to the memorial service in Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center.

A prayer service will be held on Monday, 11/27, at 10am at the Central Reformed Church of Sioux Center.

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

The Bierma family prefers memorials be directed to CHEARS Home Health and Hospice.


Jean Arlene (Kuyper) Bierma was born to Sebastian and Jennie (Mulder) Kuyper on February 14, 1920 at their home near Alton, Iowa. Jean attended and graduated from Alton Public Schools before attending Nettleton Commercial College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

As a young woman Jean worked for the Selective Service System. It was there he met William B. Bierma as he was returning from World War II. The couple later married on December 19, 1946 at the Alton Presbyterian Church. They settled in Sioux Center, Iowa.

While living in Sioux Center, Jean worked for Wandscheer Manufacturing before accepting the position of secretary at Central Reformed Church. Jean was a faithful member of the church and enjoyed being a part of the Reformed Church Women. She also served as treasurer of her Circle for many years. Jean also was involved with the Sioux Center Hospital Auxiliary.

In her free time, Jean could often be found working on crossword or jigsaw puzzle, and she was an avid reader. Over the years she had crocheted afghans for each of her children, grandchildren and several of her great grandchildren. She adored her grandchildren and often remarked how lucky she felt to have been a part of their lives.

Surviving are her three children and their spouses, Donna and Daniel Ver Hoef of Sioux Center, W. Bruce and Jacki Bierma of Jefferson, WI, Janet and David Drewes of Sioux Falls; eight grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; two sisters, Ruth Minten of Orange City, Wilma Zevenbergen of Alton; a brother and sister-in-law, Harold Kuyper and Marne of Boise, ID; brother-in-law, Ted Goslinga of Orange City, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded by her husband, William; her parents; sister, Anna Mae Goslinga; sister and brother-in-law, Genevieve Tootie and Bill Starkenberg and two brothers-in-law: Pete Minten and Bob Zevenbergen.