Gerald Droog

Gerald Droog, age 73 of Sioux Center, IA, passed away on Friday, December 23, 2022, at Sioux Center Health in Sioux Center, Iowa.

Memorial Services will be held at 11 AM Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at the Faith Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Center.  

Visitation will be from 5-7 PM Tuesday Evening, December 27, 2022 at the Faith Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Center.

The Droog family prefer memorials be directed to Western Christian High School. 

Gerald Laroy Droog was born on June 2, 1949, in Strasburg, North Dakota, to John and Grace (Nicolay) Droog. He loved his family, his church, his country, and all those around him. He loved big because of his love for his Lord.

Gerald attended Strasburg Public School where he participated in basketball and football. He loved riding horse, hunting, and fishing. He also enjoyed farm life, especially working on his Uncle Dal’s farm. After high school graduation, Gerald volunteered for the draft in the US Army. In June of 1968, he was deployed to serve the US Army in Germany for 19 months. Upon his return, he asked his childhood sweetheart, Kathy Nieuwsma, to become his wife and they were married on August 29, 1970. They made their home in Sioux Center, Iowa. They soon found an acreage where they lived for 46 years and raised their four daughters. From the beautiful sunsets to watching the grandkids walk their fair pigs, he loved his home and the countless memories made there. He was often heard saying “We are so blessed!”

Gerald worked briefly for Vreugdenhil construction before accepting a position at Van Beek Implement as a John Deere parts man for 14 years. He then began a career as a feed and animal health salesman until he retired this past June. Alongside that, Gerald had a love for pigs and enjoyed raising commercial hogs for many years. Later in life, he thoroughly enjoyed raising show pigs with his grandson, Austin Hofman.  “Droogie” built many wonderful relationships along the way and always prided himself in great customer service in whatever he did.

Gerald had a love for people and the gift of making you feel special. He was an active member of his community and served on the boards of Sioux Center Christian and Western Christian schools. He was a charter member of Faith Christian Reformed Church where he was a Sunday School teacher, a young peoples sponsor, and served many terms as an elder. He enjoyed being the self-appointed greeter and welcomer of Faith church and his smile will surely be missed.

Surrounded by his beloved family, Gerald was called to his heavenly home on December 23, 2022, at the age of 73.  After suffering from long-term effects of Covid 19, his damaged lungs are now healed.

Gerald will forever be missed by his wife, Kathy, who has been by his side the last 52 years; their daughters: Melanie and Dennis Van Maanen and children, Morgan and Ross Te Slaa, Sawyer, and Jordyn and Marcus Winterfeld; Robyn and JJ Franken and children, Austin and Shalee Hofman, and their son Kezden, Madison Hofman and her fiancé Michael Storey, Gracyn, Boden, and Kinley; Alissa and Mike Roetman and children, Leyton, Reagan, Ryer, and Emmett; Amanda and Mike Franken and daughters, Laney, Maryn, and Birkley. His family will cherish the godly legacy he left.

Gerald is also survived by his four younger sisters: Connie and Doug De Nooy, Shirley and Gord Dekkenga, Sandi and Kim Shoesmith, Colleen and Allen Horstman; And Kathy’s siblings; Betty and Bob Schnaible, Allen and Judy Nieuwsma, Carol Haan, Evelyn De Boer, and John and Cindy Nieuwsma.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Grace Droog; infant sister, Sharon; and infant granddaughter, Josie Franken.