Willis L Jongerius

  Rock Rapids, IA        Willis Jongerius, age 83 of Sioux Falls, SD died Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at The Inn on Westport in Sioux Falls. Willis was a long time resident of Rock Rapids, IA prior to moving to Sioux Falls.        Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 9th at First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids, IA.        Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in Rock Rapids.        Visitation will be Friday, January 8th from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with family present from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids.        Willis L. Jongerius was born March 29, 1932 in Sioux County, Iowa, the son of Neal and Ann (Huisman) Jongerius. He was raised in Sioux County and attended country school and graduated from Orange City High School in 1949. On July 17, 1953 Willis was united in marriage to Edna Van Der Weerd at the Steen Reformed Church in Steen, MN. On August 13, 1953 Willis entered the United States Army and was honorably discharged on June 13, 1955. Upon completion of his military service, they returned to Iowa, and Willis enrolled at Iowa State University. He graduated in 1959 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. Willis and Edna then moved to Rock Rapids, IA where he began his long career with DGR Engineering firm.        He was a member of First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids, and an active member of Kiwanis Club. He enjoyed outdoors activities such as photography, hiking, fishing, golfing and camping with family. Willis and Edna were blessed with many trips across the U.S. Locally, he was especially grateful for the hiking and biking trail at Island Park. In 2012 Willis and Edna moved to The Inn on Westport in Sioux Falls, SD, where he remained until his death this past Wednesday, January 6, 2016.        He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Edna Jongerius of Sioux Falls, SD; three children, Patrice Unekis of Rock Rapids, IA, Kama (husband, Steve DeYoung) Jongerius of Holland, MI and Tim (wife, Ruth) Jongerius of Waukee, IA; seven grandchildren, Rachel and Daniel Unekis, both of Holland, MI, Mark Unekis of Sioux Falls, SD, Zoe and Hava Zuidema, both of Holland, MI, Mathew and Kaylee Jongerius, both of Waukee, IA; from Orange City, IA: brother, Gerald (wife, Judy) Jongerius; two sisters, Helen (husband, Mert) Vander Broek and Glenda (husband, Arlin) Brenneman; and many nieces, nephews and other extended family.        He was preceded in death by his parents, Neal and Ann Jongerius; one sister-in-law, Helen Dey Jongerius; and two brothers-in-law, Wilmer De Roo and Bernie Top.