Gerrit John Zomermaand

Gerrit Zomermaand, 87, of Struble, IA died Thursday, March 9, 2006 at his residence.

A memorial service will be held Monday, 3/13, at 11am at the Calvin Christian Reformed Church of Le Mars, with Rev. Dale Fopma officiating. Interment will be held prior to the memorial service in Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center.

A family prayer service will be held Monday, 3/13, at 9:30am at the Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center.

Visitation will be held Sunday, 3/12, from 2pm to 8pm, with the family present from 2pm to 4pm at the Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center.

The Zomermaand Family prefers memorials to CHEARS Home Health & Hospice or Orange City Christian School Special Education Fund.


Toveiw atribute video of Gerrit's life please click on the following link http://videos.lifetributes.com/?id=2777

Gerrit John Zomermaand was born March 20, 1918 to Egbert and Petranella (Van Voorst) Zomermaand in Rock Valley, IA. He was one of fifteen children and has a twin sister Henrietta Niemeyer.

As he grew up he worked for many farmers in the area. In January of 1943 he enlisted in the service, first in the air force and later in the infantry. He was stationed in Norfolk, VA. On April 5, 1943 he was joined in marriage to Johanna Niessink of Sioux Center. The couple exchanged their vows in the town of South Mills, South Carolina. Gerrit was then stationed in Germany and later Japan. He arrived home from Japan in February of 1946. The couple moved to a farm one mile east of Sioux Center where six of their children were born. In 1963, they moved to a farm near Struble, IA. Gerrit became ill in 1969, and spent 7 months in an Omaha hospital. From that point on he was in poor health due to heart, lung and blood disease. He moved into the town of Struble, in 1975 and lived there since. On March 9, 2006 at 11am, he went home to be with his Lord at his home in Struble. He was surrounded by the love of is wife of 63 years, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren that he loved and enjoyed very much.

While living in the Sioux Center area, Gerrit was a member of Bethel Christian Reformed Church and then after moving to Struble he became a devoted member of Calvin Christian Reformed Church of Le Mars.

Gerrit is survived by his wife, Johanna; children, Garald and Karen Zomermaand of Rock Valley, Mary and John Van Hill of LeMars, Henry and Sharon Zomermaand of Maurice, Jan and Bob Hughes of Struble, Chuck and Elaine Zomermaand of Struble, Bonnie and Ken Hunter of Harris, IA.; 21 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; sisters: Hennrietta Niemeyer of Inwood, Anna Vande Wege of MI, Nellie Mesman of CA, Alice Topp of CA, Rolena Wissink of Ankeny, Albertha Van Hofwegen of CA, Hattie Boeve of CA; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Nelva Jo; son-in-law, Steven Swier; grandson, Kelly; brothers: Bert, Rich, Henry, and John Zomermaand; sisters: Mini Van Beek Lucy Vande Wege, and Jennie Droog.