Obituary of Wilma Southerland

Wilma Ann (De Young) Southerland, the daughter of James H. and Margaret (Japenga) De Young, was born on May 9, 1920 near Archer, Iowa. She grew up in the Archer area and graduated from the Archer Consolidated School. On December 20, 1938, she was united in marriage to Allie Zegers in Archer, where they made their home until 1947 when they moved to Sheldon. To this union three children were born, a son, Rodney, and two daughters, Margaret and Linda. Allie passed away on March 1, 1963 following Allie’s death Wilma continued living in Sheldon and worked at Wolff’s Dept. Store for four years. Wilma married James Southerland on April 19, 1968. Following their marriage the couple lived in Sheldon for five years and moved to Sanborn in January of 1973. Wilma became ill with Parkinson’s disease in 2000; the couple sold their home and moved to Prairie View Manor on February 1, 2003. James passed away on August 15, 2008 and Wilma passed away on Thursday, December 30, 2010 at the age of 90. She was a member of the First Reformed Church of Sanborn, where she was member of the R.C.W. and Friendship Circle. Wilma played piano for the junior choir for many years. She enjoyed music, bowling, doing crafts, traveling and was an avid fisherwoman. Wilma is survived by her daughter, Margaret Davis and her husband, Bob, of Columbus, OH; son-in-law, Greg Sanders of Sheldon, IA; brother, Jim De Young and his wife, Mary, of Sanborn, IA; other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, two husbands, a son, Dr. R.A. Zegers, a daughter, Linda Sanders, a grandson, Chad Ver Meer, a sister, Irene De Kok and a brother-in-law, Dan De Kok. A celebration of the life of Wilma A. Southerland Born ~ May 9, 1920 Died ~ December 30, 2010 Age ~ 90 years 7 months 21 days Funeral Service 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 4, 2011 First Reformed Church Sanborn, Iowa Clergy ~ Rev. Gary Hegstad Organist ~ Bob Davis Special Music Duet ~ Harriet & Jeane Van Veldhuizen “Blessed Assurance” Congregational Singing Processional ~ “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” #139 “I Will Enter His Gates With Thanksgiving” #214 Recessional ~ “How Great Thou Art” #147 Pallbearers Dan De Young Jim De Young Greg Sanders Don De Kok Steve De Kok Scott De Kok Ushers Archie Van Ravenswaay Rod Jacobsma Interment Roseland Cemetery Sanborn, Iowa