Edward "Ed" Geritt Meendering

Sibley, IA 

     Edward “Ed” Meendering, age 74 of Sibley, IA died Tuesday, June 25, 2019 at his home in Sibley, IA.

     Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Saturday, June 29^th at the First Reformed Church in Sibley, with Reverend Luke Schouten and Reverend Terry Simm officiating.

     Burial will follow at Holman Township Cemetery in Sibley, George E. Mudge American Legion Post No. 324 and William F. Allard VFW Post No. 7373.

     Visitation will be Friday, June 28^th from 2:00 to 8:00 PM, with the family present from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at the First Reformed Church in Sibley.

     In lieu of flower memorials may be directed to the Osceola Community Hospital of Sibley, IA.

     Edward Gerrit Meendering was born to Andrew and Ella (Van Maanen) Meendering on January 6, 1945 near Doon, Iowa. He attended Country School west of Little Rock and graduated from Little Rock High School in 1963. He was very active in drama and all sports while attending high school. He even tried out to play second base for the Minnesota Twins where he was coached by Billy Martin.

     Following high school, he joined the Army National Guard and started working for contractors where he learned the trade of construction. Working for Mouw and Den Hartog in Sheldon, he learned all facets of construction from brick laying to finish work.

       He married Leona Christians on Valentine’s Day of 1968. They lived near Sheldon for a few short months until his National Guard Unit was activated and sent to Fort Carson, Colorado. Leona joined Ed a couple months later. While stationed in Colorado Ed & Leona were blessed with a son, Edward Lee. Ed never received orders for Viet Nam but spent eighteen months in Colorado Springs serving his country.

     Ed & Leona moved back to Northwest Iowa where he returned to construction and then farmed for two years north of Sibley. In 1973, they were blessed with a daughter Michelle Lynn. Ed began his own construction business in 1973. During his 38 years of Meendering Construction he built more than 60 homes, two churches and numerous remodeling projects including two major church remodels. He loved his job and he especially enjoyed working alongside church members as they worked together building a house for the Lord.

     He enjoyed fishing and hunting, especially the three elk hunts in New Mexico with his son. He loved woodworking and made many furniture pieces for friends and family. Some of his favorites were the barns for the grandsons, desk for his granddaughter, cribs and changing tables for his kids. Ed always appreciated a challenge and was a perfectionist when it came to building. He and his wife enjoyed trips to Branson with friends and traveling to the Smokey Mountains with family. They spent many Saturday nights square dancing and made lifelong friends. He loved going to the Black Hills and spending time at the lakes with his kids and grandchildren. His favorite part was experiencing new adventures with his grandchildren and taking them tubing and fishing. Ed was proud of his family and especially his four grandchildren.

     He served as a Sunday School teacher, Deacon, Elder, and involved with a couples Bible Study at First Reformed Church in Sibley. He was also very active in the Passion Play for more than 30 years. Ed used his construction talents to serve the Lord on two mission trips on Native American reservations.  

     He leaves to mourn his wife, Leona, son, Edward and wife Allyson, daughter, Michelle and husband Trevor Tomkins, four grandchildren, Kyan and Kaden Tomkins, Edward Logan and Paige Meendering, five sisters and one brother: Marlene Stubbe of George, Gerald (Diann) of Aurelia, Gladys (Dwight) Shaffer of George, Audrey (Conrad) DeNoble of Rock Rapids, Lucille (Wayne) Steenhoven of George and Eleanor (Alan) Julius of George. Also, many nieces and nephews as well as in laws.  

     He was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew & Ella Meendering, one sister, Louella, his parents in law, Ben and Mildred Christians.