John Huisman

John Huisman, age 89, of Sioux Center, Iowa, died on Saturday, September 28, 2024 at Sioux Center Health in Sioux Center.

Visitation will take place on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Memorial Funeral Home in Sioux Center.

A memorial service will be held at Central Reformed Church in Sioux Center on Thursday, October 3, 2024 at 10:30 a.m, with Pastor Jesse Henkle officiating. Interment with military rites will follow in Memory Gardens Cemetery in Sioux Center.

John Calvin Huisman was born on May 8, 1935, in Rock Rapids, Iowa, to Claus and Bena (Buss) Huisman. He was the youngest of two children. John grew up on a farm in Lyon County, where he spent much time outside helping with chores. He attended Midland #5 Country School and graduated in 8th grade. After graduating, he primarily ran the farm due to his father’s illness. 

John married the love of his life, Ruth Ann Essman, at Zion Presbyterian Church in Ellsworth, Minnesota, on February 15, 1958 - a special date, as his parents and sister were also married on February 15 of different years. At Zion Presbyterian Church, John was an elder, deacon, and trustee. John spent many years in construction, running his own crew called Quality Builders. He joined the United States Army in 1957 and continued to serve until 1962. 

John and Ruth Ann had two children - Lisa and Kevin. They raised their family in Ellsworth, Minnesota. Together, they owned and ran the lumber yards in both Adrian and Ellsworth. Between the two businesses, John was in the lumber business for 50 years. 

In 2003, John and Ruth Ann moved to Sioux Center. They enjoyed watching their grandchildren in music and sporting events. They spent their winters in Arizona and met many good friends. John continued to love woodworking - making anything from little kid farm fences to playhouses, cabinets and more! John was a member of the Doornink Brunsting American Legion Post 199, a regular attendee of the Casey’s Bakery mens coffee crew, an avid Minnesota Twins fan, and also enjoyed his Thursday and Saturday morning coffee times at Woodbridge. 

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Ruth Ann, of 65 years; children, Lisa (Gene) Vincent of Princeton, Illinois, Kevin (Lori) Huisman of Sioux Center, Iowa; 5 grandchildren, Derek (Kim) Vincent of Des Plaines, Illinois, Kiersten Vincent of Princeton, Illinois, Kristin (Andrew) Stimpson of Cumming, Iowa, Marc (Lauren) Wermersen of Kansas City, Missouri, Kaitlyn (Tony) Stoker of Sioux Center, Iowa; great grandchildren, Sofia and Amelia Vincent, Eli, Charlie, and Calvin Stimpson, Ford and Campbell Wermersen, Oliver, Emmett, and Kendyl Stoker; and sister, Audrey DeBeer. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Claus and Bena Huisman; parents-in-law Arthur and Marie Essman; and brother-in-law Lawrence DeBeer.