Gerald "Jerry" Huisman

Ellsworth, MN        Gerald “Jerry” Huisman age 81 of Ellsworth, MN died Wednesday May 10, 2017 at Parkview Manor in Ellsworth, MN.        Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday May 13th at Bethel Reformed Church, rural Ellsworth with Rev. Matt Miller, officiating. Burial will follow in the Bethel Reformed Cemetery.        Visitation will be Friday May 12th from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. with the family present from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids.             Gerald H. “Jerry” Huisman was born October 27, 1935 on the family farm in Lyon County, IA the son of Klaas W. and Anna (Eeten) Huisman. He attended country school near his home and graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1953. On February 24, 1962 Gerald was united in marriage to Karen Kay Hubers at the Bethel Reformed Church. Gerald and Karen were blessed with three children, Lisa, Greg and Brant. After their marriage, Gerald and Karen lived in Rock Rapids for a short time while Gerald worked at the Farmer’s Coop. Elevator in Ellsworth. They moved to Minneota, MN where Gerald was an on the road salesman before returning to Ellsworth in 1963 when he became assistant manager at the Farmer’s Coop. Elevator. In 1968 Gerald was hired by Cominco American, Inc. to manage a new fertilizer plant that was constructed in Ellsworth. He watched the business grow each year and enjoyed his relationships with his many customers. He continued in the fertilizer and chemical sales business until he retired in 1997. After retirement Gerald enjoyed farming his land, restoring old tractors and cars and collecting antiques. He enjoyed listening to 50’s and gospel music. Gerald was a sports fan who played a lot of softball in his early years. He was a loyal fan of the Ellsworth Panthers and the Ellsworth Community where he was a charter member of the Ellsworth Optimist Club. Family was extremely important to Gerald and he treasured time spent with them. He especially enjoyed attending activities of his children and grandchildren. They were his pride and joy and he had a great impact on their lives. Gerald was a lifelong member of the Bethel Reformed Church where he served as an Elder and Deacon. Gerald leaves behind a legacy of honesty, integrity, love for his family and love for his Lord and Savior. Gerald died May 10, 2017 at Parkview Manor Nursing Home.           He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Karen Huisman of Luverne, MN; daughter, Lisa Huisman of Ellsworth, MN; sons and daughters-in-law, Greg and his wife Dawn of Ellsworth and Brant and his wife Jennifer of Luverne, MN; six grandchildren, Dalton and Alexa Huisman and Makayla, Anna, Olivia and Levi Huisman; sisters, Anita and husband Virgil Wiertzema of Worthington, MN and Lorraine and husband Arnold Baron of Visalia, CA; sisters-in-law, Shirley Huisman and Judy Huisman both of Rock Rapids, Sandra Scholten of Sioux Falls; and many nieces and nephews.             Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, Klaas and Anna Huisman; three sisters, Pearl Huisman, Gladys Fiihr and Bernice Walters; six brothers, Weert, George, Fred, Art, Clifford and Russel; brothers-in-law, Leo Fiihr and Hank Walters; sisters-in-law, Margaret (Weert) Huisman, Elsie (Fred) Huisman and Shirley (Art) Huisman.      Blessed be the memory of Gerald Huisman. May comfort come in the wonderful memories he created with his family and friends. We will be together again one day. SPECIAL MUSIC Processional Song By Harold DeJong "Surely the Presence of the Lord Is In This Place" "O Love That Will Not Let Me Go" Trio: Doug Stubbe, Joel DeBoer & Harold DeJong "If You Could See Me Now" Recorded by TRUTH "Doxology" No. 623 Mavis DeBeer, Organist & Accompanist   HONORARY CASKET BEARERS Frederick Huisman   Kenneth Huisman   ACTIVE CASKET BEARERS Dr. Kurtis Huisman   Daniel Huisman   Glennis Fiihr   Todd Huisman Tom Huisman   Steven Wiertzema   Gordon Wiertzema   Kendall Huisman