Obituary of Eugene Elgersma

Eugene (Gene) Dale Elgersma, the son of Earnest J. and Bessie (De Vries) Elgersma was born on September 30, 1934 on a farm near Sanborn, IA. He spent his childhood years in the rural Hartley area and attended the Sanborn Christian School and the Hartley Community School. Gene served his country in the United States Army from 1954 to 1956, doing his tour of duty in Japan. On April 8, 1958 he married Corleen Sterk in Sheldon, IA at the First Reformed Church. To this union three children were born: Sheryl, Doug and Diane. Gene was a businessman. He owned and operated the DX station in Sanborn, where he ran the bulk truck for many years. In 1989 he built and operated the Pronto Convenience Store in Sanborn. He retired in 2000 but continued to keep busy farming for Harlan Van Beek and driving truck for the elevator. Gene passed away suddenly on Wednesday, January 24, 2007 at the Northwest Iowa Health Center in Sheldon. Gene was a charter member of the Cornerstone United Reformed Church. Throughout his lifetime, he served as an elder, deacon and young people’s counselor. He was a board member for both the Sanborn Christian School and the Sanborn Funeral Home. His latest adventure was doing volunteer work at Village Northwest Unlimited in Sheldon. Hobbies of Gene’s included golfing, fishing, spending time with his family and his brothers. His greatest joy in life was seeing his children and grandchildren walk with the Lord. Survivors include his wife Corleen; his children: Sheryl Visser and her husband Brian of Sanborn, IA, Doug Elgersma and his wife Betty of Sanborn, IA and Diane Vande Kamp and her husband, Greg of Sioux Falls, SD; 11 grandchildren: Alan, Katie, Megan, Jared, Ann Marie, Lisa, Jeff, Adam, Sarah, Rachel and Jacob; four great-grandchildren; two brothers: Earl Elgersma and Kenneth Elgersma and his wife Liz; one sister, Ida J. Kreykes; a host of other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his step-mother, Anna; two brothers: Elmer and Gerald, and a brother-in-law, Harold Kreykes. In Loving Memory of Eugene D. Elgersma Born ~ September 30, 1934 Died ~ January 24, 2007 Age ~ 72 years 3 months 24 days Memorial Service Cornerstone United Reformed Church, Sanborn 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 27, 2006 Officiating ~ Rev. Jacques Roets Organist ~ Kris Van Beek Soloist ~ Stacy Andringa Singing ~ “Find Us Faithful” Congregational Singing Processional ~ “Blessed Be the Tie That Binds” “How Great Thou Art” Recessional ~ “Amazing Grace” Pallbearers Adam Vande Kamp Alan Visser Jeff Elgersma Jared Visser Jacob Vande Kamp Roy Christoffels Harlan Van Beek Ed Kreykes Flower Attendants John and Karen Anema ~ Paul and Trudy Anema Ushers Brian Elgersma Bob Anema Eldon Krikke Jerry Van Beek Interment Roseland Cemetery Sanborn, IA Military Graveside Rites Sanborn American Legion Conaway Post # 318