Sophia Zomer

     Sophia Zomer, 86, of Sioux Center, Iowa died Thursday, July 28, 2022 at her residence.   

     Visitation will be held from 5-7PM on Wednesday, August 3, 2022, at the Memorial Funeral Home in Sioux Center, Iowa with the family present.

     The funeral service will be held at 10:00AM on Thursday, August 4, 2022, at the Netherlands Reformed Church of Sioux Center with Reverend. H. Hofman officiating.  Interment will follow the service in Memory Gardens cemetery in Sioux Center.   A family prayer service will be held at 9:15AM on Thursday at the Memorial Funeral Home.    To listen to the service, please follow the link: Sophia Zomer service audio

    Sophia (Roskam) Zomer was born December 2, 1935 to Anthony and Sophia (Rozeboom) Roskam.  She was one of 11 children. She grew up at rural Hawarden, IA. She attended country school through 8th grade and then received her high school diploma through the American School. After Sophia’s older brothers were drafted to the military and served in war time, she spent much of her time working alongside her father on the farm.  She learned to appreciate driving her favorite Allis-Chalmers tractor.

     Her long dark hair and pretty purple dress caught the eye of John Zomer Sr. of Armour, SD. On her 20th birthday they were united in marriage at the Netherlands Reformed Church in Sioux Center, IA.  They made their home at rural Armour, SD for 7 years before relocating to Iowa, where they lived in Sioux and Lyon County. They farmed near George, IA for 28 years where she was a vital part of the dairy operation.  In the 1980’s during the recession, Sophia passed her CNA exam and worked at local long term care facilities in Rock Valley and Rock Rapids.  In 1995, they had a farm sale and moved to an acreage near Larchwood, IA. Sophia then worked at Sioux Valley(later changed to Sanford Health) as a CNA.  She retired at the age of 70. In 2008, they moved to Sioux Center, IA where they continued to reside.  

     Sophia was a lifelong member of the Netherlands Reformed Church.  She showed her kindness and ministry to others by providing food to her family, friends, and church family in times of need.  She donated many pies to the NRC Dorcas Society bake sale.  She had a strong work ethic which she instilled in her children  Her family recalls the many hours spent  preparing and canning garden produce, baking, cooking, sewing and ironing.  In her retirement, she enjoyed crocheting afghans and baby blankets for her family.  Every winter a card table was set up in the house where she enjoyed working on puzzles. 

     After suffering from a severe ischemic stroke, Sophia passed away on July 28, 2022 in her home, surrounded by family.

     She is survived by her husband of 66 years, John Zomer and children; Henry (Roxy) of Conrad, MT; Annette (Kip) Maggert of Matlock, IA; Connie (Gywen) Hoogendoorn of Bradenton, FL;

John (Stacy) of Valley Springs, SD;  Lorinda ”Sue” (Randy) Techen of Sheldon, IA; Dale(Myra) of Harrisburg, SD;

Kathy (Doug) Van Beek of Inwood, IA; Calvin (Amber) of Rock Valley, IA; Jolene (Walt) VanderWaal of Orange City, IA; 39 grandchildren;  30 great grandchildren;  sister, Hilda (Jake) Van Voorst; and sisters-in-law, Harriet Roskam and Bea Roskam-Nydam; many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

 She was preceded in death by her parents Anthony and Sophia, siblings Dick (Tillie) Roskam, Henrietta (Tony) Van Hill, Gertrude (John) Kuiper, Gertie Dumond, Gerrit (Emma) Roskam, Elizabeth (John) VanderWeide, Tony Roskam, Leonard Roskam, and Cornie (Muriel) Roskam.