Percy Zylstra

Sibley, IA Percy Zylstra age 81 of Ashton, IA died Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2010 at his home near Ashton, IA. Memorial services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 4th at First Presbyterian Church in Sibley with Rev. Terry Simm, officiating. Family and friends will gather at 9:00 a.m., Saturday at the Jurrens Funeral Home in Sibley to process for burial with full military honors in the Holman Township Cemetery at Sibley, IA. Visitation will be Friday, Dec. 3rd from 2:00 " 8:00 p.m. with the family present from 6:00 " 8:00 p.m. at the Jurrens Funeral Home of Sibley. Percy John Zylstra was born July 28, 1929 at Little Rock, IA the son of Gertie (Sterler) and Shubert Zylstra. Percy grew up on the family farm an attended West Holman Township Country School and later attended Sibley High School. He was united in marriage to Ruth Willts on August 24, 1951, at Sibley, IA. Just months after their wedding, Percy served his country in the United States Army. He took his basic training at Fort Knox, and was stationed in Japan during the Korean War. Upon his honorable discharge in 1953, he returned home to his loving wife, Ruth and they made their home on the family farm north of Ashton. Percy was a passionate farmer and cattle feeder. He was a devoted husband, loving father and caring grandfather. He especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Percy served diligently on the Sibley-Ocheyedan School board for many terms and currently served on the Area Education Agency board. He was an active and lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church in Sibley. He served as an elder and deacon, taught high school Sunday school and also was a senior youth group sponsors. This past Tuesday morning, November 30, 2010, Percy died at his home at the age of eighty-one. He is survived by his wife of fifty-nine years, Ruth of Ashton; sons, Steve and his wife Kathy Zylstra of Jackson, MN; Paul and his wife, Margaret Zylstra of Dillon, CO; Mark and his wife, Jean Zylstra of Humboldt, IA; Keith and his wife, Vicki Zylstra of Sibley, IA; nine grandchildren, Jason (Natalie) Zylstra; Stacy (Matt) Bohl; Aaron (Jenny) Zylstra; Nicole, Danielle and Austin Zylstra; and Michael, Rachel and Eric Zylstra; and six great grandchildren, Abigail and Nathan Zylstra; Payton Bohl; Andrew, Avery and Alex Zylstra; sister, Phyllis Van Gerpen of Washington, IA; along with many nieces, nephews and cousins. Percy was preceded in death by his parents, Shubert and Gertie.