John W. Iedema

Ocheyedan, IA          Click here to watch Celebration of Life

     John Iedema, age 79, of Ocheyedan, IA, died Tuesday, December 28, 2021, at his daughter’s home in Spirit Lake, IA.

     A celebration of life will be 2:00 PM, Monday, January 3^rd at Indian Lake Baptist Church in Worthington, MN.

     A visitation for family and friends will be Sunday evening, January 2^nd from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at Jurrens Funeral Home of Ocheyedan, Andringa Chapel.

     John William Iedema was born on October 21, 1942, in Ocheyedan, Iowa.  He was the eldest son of Willie and Gertrude (Riemersma) Iedema. He left this world to go to his eternal home with Jesus on December 28, 2021 after a brief illness. 

      He was united in marriage to the love of his life, Thelma Beth (Eggink) on December 30, 1964, in Bellflower, CA.  They made their home in Ocheyedan, IA where he worked for the Ocheyedan COOP elevator before working for, and eventually managing the lumber yard from where he retired.  John took pride in serving our country from 1960-1968 in the Army National Guard.

     John was a devoted and loving father to four daughters. His   daughters, sons-in-law, nine grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren were his pride and joy and he cherished spending time with each one of them.

     In his younger years, John and his family loved tent camping and vacationing to Arizona and California, as well as visiting several national parks. He will be remembered for his firm handshake, teasing, his quick wit and his devout Christian faith and love of his Lord Jesus!  A highlight of John’s life was celebrating his 50^th wedding anniversary in January 2015, shortly before Thelma’s passing.  John loved his family unconditionally and will be missed tremendously.    

     Those left to cherish his memories are his four daughters: Sue Iedema of Sioux Falls, SD, Julie (Sheldon) Schelling of Edwardsville, KS, Deanne (Mike) Garland of Spirit Lake, IA and Paula (Joe) Abbas, of Lennox, SD; nine grandchildren: Michael (Stephanie) Garland, Tyler (fiancée Brooke Walgrave) Schelling, Cory (Morgan) Garland, Jordan (Morgan) Schelling, Zachary (Rachel) Garland, Connor (Emma) Abbas, Cameron Abbas, Kierra Abbas, and Amber Schelling; seven great grandchildren; two brothers:  Henry Iedema of Sun City, AZ and Roger (Carol) Iedema of Sibley, IA; five sisters: Frances (Ardell) Henrichs of Little Rock, IA, Nelva (Elmer) Hatting of Ocheyedan, IA, Wilma (Kenneth) Loerts of Sibley, IA, Janice (Robert) Groen of Sibley, IA, and Sherla Glade of Ocheyedan, IA.     

     He was preceded in death by his wife Thelma; his parents; 3 infant siblings; a sister-in-law; two brothers-in-law; and a grandson, Daniel Garland.