Lawrence "Larry" Dean Buysman

Sibley, IA

     Lawrence “Larry” Buysman age 83 of Sibley, IA died Friday, September 14, 2018 at Country View Manor in Sibley. 

     Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 18^th at the First Reformed Church in Sibley, with Reverend Luke Schouten officiating.    

     Burial will follow in the Holman Township Cemetery of Sibley.

     Visitation will be Monday, September 17^th from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., with family present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Jurrens Funeral Home of Sibley.

     Lawrence Dean Buysman was born on February 5, 1935 in Sibley, Iowa, the son of Louis and Johanna (Heil) Buysman. He attended Wilson #4 Country School and graduated from Sibley High School in 1953. He helped on the family farm until 1956. He and Jane Iedema were married on March 2, 1956 and 10 days later, he entered the US Navy. He was stationed at El Toro Marine Base near Santa Ana, California, where their oldest daughter, Kayleen, was born. Three weeks later in October of 1957, he was honorably discharged, and they returned to Sibley where they lived the remainder of their married life.

     In 1958, they took over the family farm, which they farmed until 1998. During those years, they had a Grade A dairy until 1980 and later raised sheep until 1993. Among Larry’s greatest joys were planting and harvest season. He enjoyed nature and conservation and was awarded for his wildlife and conservation efforts. In later years, he had numerous bird feeders and a scope to watch the wildlife. He had a great sense of humor, always enjoying a good joke, especially Hollander and knock-knock jokes. Larry spent many hours in his shop making pieces of furniture as well as rocking horses for his great grandsons and American Girl armoires for the girls.

     Larry & Jane were foster parents from 1989-1998. In 1998, they enjoyed having a part in building and designing their log home north of the farm place on an area he had planted trees years ago. At this time, they also retired from farming, turning the farming operation over to their son, Nathan. But Larry didn’t totally give up the farming, in his later years he thoroughly enjoyed gardening, experimenting with different peppers and making a hot pepper seasoning that was a favorite of his grandsons.

     Larry was active in Farm Bureau for over 40 years, holding several offices. He was a lifelong member of the First Reformed Church in Sibley, serving as elder, deacon, Sunday School teacher and youth sponsor.

     Larry & Jane were married for 62-1/2 years and are the parents of six children - Kayleen Stoulil (Richard Rauterkus), Havelock, IA; Bonnie (Verzell) James, Evanston, IL; Glenda (Lorin) Mulder, Laurens, IA, Nathan Buysman (Angie Hess), Sibley; April Buysman, Orange City; and Holly (Loran) Boettcher, Sibley; along with 9 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, and 4 step grandchildren. Also surviving are three brothers - Ron (Marge) Buysman of Canton, SD, Alvin (Angie) Buysman of Ruthton, MN, Ken (Sue) Buysman of Sun City, AZ; three brothers-in-law - Stuart (Zelma) Iedema, Celina, TX, Henry (Mary) Iedema, Sanborn, and Clark Iedema, Sibley, as well as a host of nieces and nephews.

     He was preceeded in death by his parents, Louis & Johanna Buysman; his in-laws Martin & Tillie Iedema, son-in-law, Steve Stoulil, sisters-in-law Nancy Buysman and Cindy Iedema, and great granddaughter, Mia Faith Stoulil.

     In lieu of flower or gifts, a memorial fund has been established to use for youth ministries at a later date.