Gary R. Hiemstra

GEORGE, IA Gary Hiemstra, age 79 of George, IA, died Saturday, October 2, 2010, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. Memorial service will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 6, 2010 at Immanuel Christian Reformed Church in Sheldon, IA with Pastor Kevin Muyskens officiating. Private family burial will take place prior to the service at East Lawn Cemetery in Sheldon. Visitation will be Tuesday, October 5, 2010 from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. with family present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Jurrens Funeral Home of George. In lieu of flowers, family wishes memorials be directed to CRWRC (Christian Reformed World Relief Committee). Gary Hiemstra was born December 13, 1930 in Sioux Falls, SD to Ralph and Tina (Snip) Hiemstra. In 1939 he moved to California and graduated from Valley Christian High School in Bellflower. He worked at Pioneer Market until 1955. On a trip back to Iowa he met and fell in love with Alvina Boer. They married on June 4, 1954 at the Christian Reformed Church in Sheldon, IA. The couple began their lives together in California. For the first few years he worked on a dairy. Following that he bought a chicken/egg ranch in Ontario, CA. In 1967 he moved with his family to Sibley, IA and began farming. In 1974 he moved his family to a farm just north of George, IA. Gary was a member of the Lyon County Zoning Commission and served on the Western Christian School Board. He also served as an elder and deacon in various churches. Gary always felt he was a blessed man; God, work, and family were his priorities. He enjoyed fishing, playing cards, reading and spending time with family and friends. He will be missed by many but leaves behind a lasting legacy. Gary is survived by his wife Alvina; son, Rodney (Jeanette) Hiemstra of Sibley; daughter, Joy (Dale) Pruitt of San Diego, CA; son, Jason (Liz) Hiemstra of Sioux Falls, SD; daughter, Teresa (Dean) Paauw of Centennial, CO; and daughter, Laura (Brad) Barkema of Sioux Falls, SD; 15 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; sister, Wilma Bousema of Rock Valley, IA; and other extended family members. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Tina Hiemstra. Blessed be his memory.