Gladys De Weerd

UPDATE!

Gladys De Weerd was welcomed to her heavenly home after reaching the age of 91 years, 11 months and 4 days on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, at the Fellowship Village in Inwood, Iowa.

A funeral service will be held SUNDAY, January 14, 2024, at 2:00PM at Bethel Christian Reformed Church of Sioux Center, with Rev. Duane Tinklenberg officiating. Burial will be held on MONDAY, January 15, 2024 at 11AM in Memory Gardens Cemetery in Sioux Center, Iowa.

A visitation will be held Sunday, from 1:00PM until the time of the funeral service at the church. 

In lieu of flowers or gifts, the De Weerd family prefer memorials be directed to Sioux Center Christian School or Western Christian High School. 

Gladys Jean Draayer was born February 5, 1932, to Gerrit and Jane (Langstraat) Draayer. She grew up on a farm near Maurice, Iowa and graduated from Maurice High School. She and her family attended First Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Center.

On February 25, 1951, Gladys married Gerald De Weerd at Bethel Christian Reformed Church during the Sunday morning service. After their marriage, the couple made their home in Sioux Center for 62 years. Gerald passed away on October 10, 2013.

As a member of Bethel Christian Reformed church, Gladys attended the Sunshine Circle and sang in the choir.

Gladys was employed as a cook at Dordt College for over 25 years. She enjoyed bowling, crocheting, gardening, doing Word Search puzzles, baking, and always had home-baked cookies for her family. She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother and will be dearly missed. 

Left to cherish her memory are her 5 children: Stan and Arlis De Weerd of Rock Valley, Bill and Mary Schoep of Sioux Falls, SD, Arlin and Helen De Weerd of Hull, Roger and BJ De Weerd of Maurice, and Bernie and Pam Punt of Sioux Center;15 grandchildren: Jason De Weerd, Scott and Noemi De Weerd, Darin and Janelle De Wit, Greg and Allison Blom, Brady and Rhonda Fopma, Laura Schoep, Travis De Weerd, Brandon De Weerd, Aaron and Elizabeth De Weerd, Tyler and Breanne Te Grotenhuis, Branson De Weerd,  Amber Stroman, Eric and Tracy Punt, Matt and Brittney Punt, and Justin and Andrea Cramer; 35 great-grandchildren; 2 brothers: Gary (Sandy) Draayer, and Ken Draayer, and a sister Cynthia Kruid, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Gerald, two children: Daniel De Weerd and Gail De Weerd; 4 brothers: Nick (Dorothy) Draayer, John (Gertrude) Draayer, Ed (Lillian) Draayer, and Wilbur (Jeanette) Draayer; sisters: Wilmina (Henry) Kramer, Katherine (John) Calkhoven, Anna (John) De Weerd; in-laws: Gerrit Kruid and Belle Draayer.