Search Archived Marriage Records
Margie Swisher
August 07, 1930 - May 25, 2007
Grinnell, Iowa
Memorial Service: 10:00 a.m., Saturday June 16, 2007 at Carman Center of the Mayflower Home
Visitation: one hour prior to her service June 16, 2007 at Carman Center of the Mayflower Home
Margie was born on August 7th, 1930, in Frankfort, Kentucky to Ernest and Harriett Harper Reed. She grew up in Cheyenne, Wyoming, where her father worked as an engineer for the Wyoming highway department designing and building bridges. As a young girl, Margie was exceptionally bright – getting straight A’s as well as being an avowed tomboy. She also became very involved in the Girl Scouts of America, her involvement lasting past her college years.
Margie attended Grinnell College, graduating in 1953 with a major in Mathematics and a minor in Physical Education. She then moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where she worked as an engineering assistant at GE and then as the District Director for the Girls Scouts of America. She married Donald Swisher in 1955, and were blessed with their first son Gregory in 1957. They moved to Colorado shortly thereafter where they were blessed with their second son Douglas, and where Margie began her career teaching Mathematics in the local public middle and high schools.
In the early 1970s, Margie contracted Multiple Sclerosis, which slowly took away her ability to walk, confining her to a wheelchair and eventually forcing her early retirement in 1981. After her divorce in 1990 she decided to go back to her alma mater, moving into the Mayflower in Grinnell and auditing math classes at the college, where she became a regular fixture zipping around the math and science buildings on her motorized scooter. Margie was very active in the community, the college and the Mayflower. Her many activities included being the secretary for the Poweshiek County Retired Teachers Association, tutoring students in math, singing in the Chorale, membership in the Mayflower movie committee and participating in the Mayflower Bell Chorus. Margie treated her handicap and medical issues as minor inconveniences, never allowing them to get in the way of enjoying her life and the company of those around her. Incredibly organized, throughout the year she was always keeping her eyes open for Christmas and birthday gifts for her children and grandchildren. Her honesty, directness, glowing love for life and those around her, as well as her triumph over her physical disabilities should be a shining example for us all.
Margie is survived by her sons Gregory (Valerie) Swisher of Los Gatos, California, and Douglas Swisher of Englewood, Colorado; her grandchildren Madeline and Maxwell Swisher; and her cousins John Lacy and Barry Clagett. Margie was preceded in death by her parents.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Multiple Sclerosis Society and may be sent in care of the Smith Funeral Home.
Grace E. Sleeuwenhoek
August 19, 1918 - May 02, 2008
Grinnell, Iowa
Visitation: one hour prior to service time May 07, 2008 at Smith Funeral Home, Grinnell
Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m. Wednesday May 07, 2008 at Smith Funeral Home, Grinnell
Interment: following funeral service and lunch May 07, 2008 at Mt. Zion Cemetery, rural Jasper County, Iowa
Grace E. Sleeuwenhoek, 89, of Grinnell, died on Friday, May 2, 2008, at Friendship Manor in Grinnell. Funeral services are scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 7, 2008, at Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell with Rev. Harold Schutte and Pastor Rick Magstadt, officiating. Organist will be Nancy Toppenburg and vocalist will be Gary Van Dalen. Pallbearers will be Mark Allen, Gary Halverson, Dirk, Kendell, and Lynn Sleeuwenhoek, Ken Steenhoek, Ray Wood, and Rick Young. Burial will be in the Mt. Zion Cemetery in rural Jasper County. Visitation with the family present will be one hour prior to service time Wednesday morning. Memorial contributions may be directed to Grqce Community Church (Alliance Missions) or Grinnell Regional Hospice. Grace was born on August 19, 1918, near Killduff, Iowa to Barend and Mabel Clausen Sleeuwenhoek. She was raised on the family farm and attended Elk Creek Township School. Grace was the oldest of eight children and following her mother’s death when she was 16 years old she devoted her much of her life to caring for the family home and her younger brothers. The family moved from their farm near Killduff to farms near Rock Creek and Kellogg, finally settling on an acreage west of Grinnell. She worked as a seamstress at DeLong’s Jacket Factory and in the dietary department at Friendship Manor. She later was employed as a hospitality hostess for the former General Telephone Company in Grinnell. Grace was a member of the Grace Community Church in Grinnell. She enjoyed traveling with the Grinnell State Bank’s Heritage Club including trips to Branson, Washington, D.C. and Alaska. She made many friends throughout the years on those trips. She was a wonderful cook and pies were her specialty, but she also enjoyed making Christmas cookies, fudge, and divinity. She loved flowers and tending to her flower garden, reading the Bible, and attending church. She held a great love for her family and enjoyed hosting family dinners. Survivors include one brother, Wendell Sleeuwenhoek (Golda)of Grinnell; five sister-in-laws, Wilma of Newton, Doris, Viola and Bernice all of Grinnell, and Lenore of Victor, and nine nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; and six brothers, Alfred, Lawrence, Earl, Lloyd, Norman and Carroll.
Samuel W. Andrews
October 16, 1946 - May 04, 2008
Grinnell, Iowa
Memorial Service: 10:00 a.m., Thursday, May 08, 2008 at Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell
Visitation: 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m., Thursday, May 08, 2008 at Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell
Sam was born on October 16, 1946, in Highland Park, Illinois. He was raised in Des Moines, Iowa by Harry and Pauline Kraus Drottz. He was united in marriage to Ina Marie Franklin on December 29, 1989 in Houston, Texas. Sam was employed at Farmhand, currently known as AGCO Corp., in Grinnell for many years as a Field Service Manager.
Sam was a member of Fort Des Moines Presbyterian Church in Des Moines. He was an outdoorsman who enjoyed golfing and deer hunting with his black powder guns. His other enjoyments included making and collecting knives, going fishing with his family, and as a couple taking annual vacations with his brother Harry and his wife Judy.
Sam is survived by his wife of 18 years Marie Andrews of Grinnell; his mother, Pauline Drottz of Des Moines, Iowa; his children, Brian (Jodi) Andrews of Walter, Oklahoma, Ben (Michelle) Andrews of Oskaloosa, Iowa, Aaron (Laura)Franklin of Columbia, Missouri, and Christina (Jason) Jack of Grinnell; 9 grandchildren; his brothers, Harry (Judith) Drottz of League City, Texas, Carl (Ruby) Drottz of Winterset, Iowa; and his sisters, Phoebe (Dennis) Meeks of El Cajon, California, and Kathy (David) Green of Gilmer, Texas; and several nieces and nephews.
Sam was preceded in death by his father Harry S. Drottz and his sister Jane Brinkman.
Memorials may be directed to Grinnell Regional Hospice or to the Fort Des Moines Presbyterian Church.
Avis A. Haines
January 20, 1935 - May 09, 2008
Gilman, Iowa
Visitation: 6 pm to 8 pm on Monday May 12, 2008 at Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell, Iowa
Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell, Iowa
Interment: following luncheon May 13, 2008 at Prairie View Cemetery at Gilman, Iowa
Avis was born on January 20, 1935, in Kellogg, Iowa to William R. and Gussie E. Boese Crockett. She was raised in Kellogg and graduated from Kellogg High School. On July 28, 1956, she was married to Raymond L. Haines in Grinnell. The family lived in Grinnell and moved to Gilman in 1961. She worked as a seamstress for the DeLong’s Sportswear Company for over 20 years. Avis enjoyed gardening, yard work and feeding the birds and squirrels. She also enjoyed country music and dancing. Survivors include her son, Russell(Pam) Haines of Marshalltown; one daughter, Joyce Haines of Grinnell; seven grandchildren; and two great grandsons. She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; one daughter, Connie Lee Haines; three half sisters; and three half brothers.
James R. Porter
September 17, 1934 - May 11, 2008
Tama, Iowa
No services are planned.
Clarence "Cookie" McIlrath
February 11, 1927 - May 11, 2008
Grinnell and formerly of Victor
Visitation: 6;00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. May 14, 2008 at St. Mary's Catholic Church
Funeral Service: 7:00 p.m. Wednesday May 14, 2008 at St. Mary's Catholic Church
Clarence “Cookie” McIlrath, 81, of Grinnell and formerly of Victor died May 11, 2008, at Friendship Manor in Grinnell. A funeral mass has been scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 14, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Grinnell with the Rev. William Reynolds presiding. Music will be performed by Marilyn Kriegel, organist, Jean Libby, Cellist, and the St. Mary’s Choir. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service time at St. Mary’s. Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell is handling arrangements. The son of David Nathaniel and Tillie Viola Bees McIlrath, he was born February 11, 1927, in Brooklyn, Iowa. He was raised in Hartwick and was a graduate of Hartwick High School. He attended the Paris Beauty School in Cedar Rapids and later Ren’s Beauty School in Long Beach, California. Following his education, he was employed at a salon in Long Beach for several years. He then moved to Victor where he operated a beauty shop for nearly 38 years. After his retirement, he moved to Grinnell and for many years he was employed at Hardees making biscuits. He had been a resident of Friendship Manor since November of 2007. Cookie was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. He loved music, flowers, cooking, and socializing with people. He was a good friend to many people. Survivors include a sister-in-law, Anna McIlrath of Laguna Woods, California, several nieces, all of California, and several cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Everett McIlrath.
Jeanette DeRuiter
April 04, 1914 - May 18, 2008
Visitation: 6 pm to 8 pm on Tuesday May 20, 2008 at Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell, Iowa
Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m., Wednesday May 21, 2008 at Friends Church in Lynnville, Iowa
Interment: following funeral service May 21, 2008 at Sully Cemetery at Sully, Iowa
Jeanette Van Genderen was born on April 14, 1914 south of New Sharon, Iowa. She was the youngest of fifteen children that were born to William and Anna DeHoog Van Genderen. The family later moved east of Sully, Iowa where she attended the Taylor Country Grade School. Jeanette was united in marriage with Teunis G. DeRuiter in Sully in a double ceremony with his sister, Elsie and Frank Baarda, on June 15, 1937. To this union three children were born: Arnold Lee, Bonita Kay and Daryl Gene. Teunis and Jeanette were life-long farmers in the Jasper and Poweshiek County area. The farmed near Newton and Searsboro prior to moving to his parents’ farm north of Lynnville in 1948. Jeanette was a full-time caring and devoted wife and mother. She began baking pies for the Sully Restaurant as a teenager, which prepared her to make wonderful meals and twice-a-day “coffee times” for her family, friends, neighbors and farm workers. She spent much time cooking, quilting, gardening, canning and freezing her produce each summer as well as maintaining a lovely flower garden. She was also known to visit many of the local fishing ponds attempting to catch the “big ones”. She was so proud one afternoon that two large-mouth bass succumbed to her endeavors…the first at four pounds and the second at seven pounds! Teunis and Jeanette faithfully attended their children’s school sporting, music and various other activities throughout their school years. They sold and moved off this farm, which had been in the DeRuiter family for eighty years, on December 31, 1999 to the Seeland Park Retirement Community in Grinnell. Jeanette enjoyed the socialization of the community and always looked forward to visiting with their many friends, neighbors and fellow residents. Teunis and Jeanette enjoyed attending Sunday church, gospel music, local and TV sporting events, dining out, visiting friends and relatives, along with attending many activities in the Jasper, Poweshiek and Marion county areas. Private caretakers were hired in 2003 to help them as their health declined. Teunis passed away on December 1, 2003. Jeanette developed macular degeneration, suffered mini-strokes as well as a major stroke in December of 2002. These strokes resulted in her living with vascular dementia the past several years. She bonded closely with her in-home caretakers who took wonderful care of her until September of 2007, when she moved to Trinity Care Center in Des Moines, Iowa to be closer to her daughter. Her physical health continued to deteriorate as she experienced several fractures from falls which resulted in two hip surgeries within a three week period. She and Teunis both passed away in the same room at Hospice of Central Iowa’s Kavanagh House on 56th Street in Des Moines. Jeanette passed away on May 18, 2008 attaining the age of 94 years, one month and four days. Jeanette was a petite, meticulous, strong, diligent and hard working lady who, willingly, made many sacrifices to protect and care for her family. Her children who loved and will miss her are: Arnold L. and Betty DeRuiter of Lime Springs, Iowa Mark DeRuiter of Byron, Minnesota Janet and Tim Smith of Elk River, Minnesota Zachary Smith Kelsey Smith Craig and Sherri DeRuiter of Delaware, Ohio Bonita K. and Harry F. (Bud) Wertz of Johnston, Iowa Step grandchildren:Kris (Scott) Cross of Lee Summit, Missouri Paulina Cross Peg (Tom) Elefson of Independence, Missouri Cameron, Parker and Erica Elefson Daryl G. DeRuiter of Hart, Michigan Ashley Quinn of Sonoma, California Of her original family, Jeanette leaves just one sister, Nellie (Bernard) Kooista, presently of Oskaloosa, Iowa along with a sister-in-law, Irene DeRuiter (William) Moes of Sully, Iowa. She was preceded in death by her husband, Teunis; by her parents: William and Anna Van Genderen; her parents-in-law: Arie and Hermina DeRuiter; and the following brothers, sisters and their spouses; Gerret (Maggie) Van Genderen, Gertie (Paul) Van Der Kamp, Margaret (William) Leydens, Henrietta (Joe) Poyner, Kate (Peter) Kleinpaste, Lena (Ed) Bosare, Leonard (Jennie) Van Genderen, John (Bertha) Van Genderen, Peter (Dorothy) Van Genderen, Minnie (Lyle) Brand, three siblings who died in infancy and several nieces and nephews, along with brother and sister-in-laws: Wilma DeRuiter (Glenn) Van Steenwyk and Elsie DeRuiter (Frank) Baarda. Teunis and Jeanette attended the Sully Community Church and the Lynnville Friends Church during their lifetime.
Norris Dean Bigbee
May 23, 1928 - May 18, 2008
Grinnell, Iowa
Graveside Service: 2:00 p.m. Thursday May 22, 2008 at Hazelwood Cemetery - Grinnell
Interment: 2:00 p.m. Thursday May 22, 2008 at Hazelwood Cemetery
Norris D. Bigbee, 79, of Grinnell died May 18, 2008, at the Mayflower Home Health Care Center in Grinnell. A graveside service and burial has been scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Thursday, May 22, at Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell with the Rev. Susan Sanning, Grinnell Regional Hospital Chaplain, officiating. Violinist will be Sarah Hamilton. Memorial contributions may be directed to Grinnell Regional Hospital. Norris was born May 23, 1928, in Belle Plaine, the son of Gerald and Nadene Cronbaugh Bigbee. He was raised on the family farm in Honey Creek Township in Iowa County and received his education at Honey Creek Country School #10 and later was a 1946 graduate of Marengo High School. He was inducted into the United States Army in 1951 and served with the 2nd Division during the Korean War as corporal. On May 12, 1952, he was married to Elaine M. Block, in Marengo. The couple farmed in the Brooklyn and Chelsea communities until 1965 and then moved to Grinnell. He was employed at the Donaldson Company until his retirement in 1992. Norris enjoyed antiques, collecting things, and generally making something out of nothing, when it came to refinishing items that he found. He enjoyed doing chores on his farm, working with farm animals, and fishing on area farm ponds. He held a passion for dancing. For many years he kept busy with carpenter work on several homes in the Grinnell area. Survivors include his wife, Elaine, one son, Dale, one son-in-law, Kurt Lohse, and two grandsons, Dustin and Tyrel Lohse, all of Grinnell; and one sister, Arlyn (Richard) Dellamuth of Belle Plaine. He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Tracy Lohse in 2003; and one brother Gerald Bigbee, Jr. in 1990.
Eileen A. Hopkins
August 03, 1917 - May 20, 2008
Grinnell, Iowa
Visitation: 12 p.m. - 8 p.m., with the family present to greet friends from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m., Friday, May 23, 2008 at Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell
Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 24, 2008 at Grinnell United Methodist Church
Interment: following her service on Saturday, May 24, 2008 at Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell
Eileen was born on August 3, 1917, 60 miles east of Kansas City in Sedalia, Missouri to Joseph and Charlotte Esser Swisher. She was raised in Sedalia and graduated from Smith-Cotton High School in Sedalia in 1935.
She was married to Wilson Walter Hopkins on July 21, 1940, in Sedalia, Missouri. The couple lived in Illinois, Wisconsin and Nebraska before moving to Grinnell, Iowa in 1960. The couple purchased Poynter’s Fashions in Grinnell in 1969. She later worked at the Danish Maid Bakery in the early 1980’s.
Eileen was a member of the Grinnell United Methodist Church, the American Legion Auxiliary, and Grinnell Regional Medical Center Auxiliary. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother who taught her family the fundamental values of being an ethical, family-oriented and a successful person. Her enjoyments included sewing, playing cards, especially bridge, baking, tending to her flowers, and she was a sports enthusiast who loved the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Eileen is survived by her children, Judy Johnson of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Jerry (Debra) Hopkins of Marshalltown, Iowa, Nancy (Don) Beck of Grinnell, Iowa, Mary (Al) Andrews of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Jim (Barb) Hopkins of Grinnell, Mike (Linda) Hopkins of Durham, New Hampshire, and Lori (Mark) Rochford of Central City, Iowa; 17 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; and her brother, John Swisher of Sedalia, Missouri. Eileen was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Wilson Hopkins in 2001; her grandson, Clarke Johnson in 2007; her brother, Fred Swisher; and her sisters, Virginia Landess, Doris Steele, and Arline Swisher, Eileen’s twin sister who died in infancy at the age of 16 months.
Memorials may be directed to the United Methodist Church or to Grinnell Regional Hospice.
Kathryn A. Miner
April 25, 1929 - May 24, 2008
Grinnell, Iowa and formerly of Mason City, Iowa
Visitation: 9 a.m., Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell
Funeral Service: 10 a.m., Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell
Interment: 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 28, 2008 at Elmwood - St. Joseph Cemetery in Mason City, Iowa
Kathryn was born the daughter of William and Carrie Balek Hughes on April 25, 1929, in Mason City, Iowa. She was raised in Mason City and graduated from Holy Family High School in Mason City.
She worked for 33 years as a telephone operator at Northwestern Bell in Mason City. She moved to Grinnell in 2000 to be closer to her family and had lived at St. Francis Manor since December of 2007.
Kathryn was a longtime member of the Holy Family Catholic Church in Mason City and a member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Grinnell. Her enjoyments included needlepoint, knitting, cross stitching, reading, and following the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Kathryn is survived by her son, Ken (Gloria) Miner of Grinnell; 3 grandchildren, Heather (Mark) Haseman of Fayetteville, North Carolina, Rachel Hutchcraft of Grinnell, and Zachary Miner of Grinnell; 3 great grandchildren, Jacob, Aislyn and Chloe Hutchcraft of Grinnell; and a sister-in-law, Arlene Hughes of Clear Lake. Kathryn was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Richard Hughes; and her great granddaughter, Makayla Hutchcraft.
Memorials may be directed to the St. Mary's Parish Foundation.
John Hoffstetter
May 31, 1924 - May 27, 2008
Grinnell, Iowa
Visitation: 12:00 noon to 8:00 p.m. and with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 Thursday evening May 29, 2008 at Smith Funeral Home - Grinnell
Funeral Service: 10;30 a.m. Friday May 30, 2008 at Smith Funeral Home - Grinnell
Interment: following funeral service May 30, 2008 at Westfield Cemetery, south of Grinnell
John Hoffstetter, 83, of Searsboro died May 27, 2008, at the Montezuma Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 30, at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell with the Rev. Don Job, pastor of Seasboro Friends Church, officiating. Pallbearers will be Rodney Baker, Darrel Beason, Chris and David Hoffstetter, Kevin Lincoln, and Jason Thompson. Honorary bearers will be Robert Hoffstetter, Fritz and R.C. James, Jerry Wahl, and Victor White. Burial will be in Westfield Cemetery south of Grinnell. Visitation will be held from 12:00 noon to 8:00 p.m. Thursday at Smith Funeral Home and where the family will be present from 6:00 to 8:00 Thursday evening. Memorial contributions may be directed to the John Hoffstetter Memorial Fund. The son of John and Amanda Sieble Hoffstetter, he was born May 31, 1924, in Davenport. He was raised in Bettendorf and received his education there. He was a veteran of the United States Navy during World War II. On October 30, 1946, he was married to Ida “Lavena” Lincoln, in Marshalltown. The couple farmed south of Grinnell until 1971 and then moved to Searsboro. He was employed at the Donaldson Company in Grinnell until his retirement in 1989. John was a member of the Searsboro Friends Church and the Grinnell American Legion Post #53 for over 50 years. He was active in the outdoors where he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and trapping. He loved his life on the farm and caring for his livestock. Survivors include two sons, James and Doug Hoffstetter, both of Searsboro; four sisters, Kate Haessler of LeClair, Marjorie Timmerman of Sperry, and Violet Smith and Genevieve Valentine, both of Bettendorf; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife in 2004; two brothers, James and William Hoffstetter; and one sister, Leona Beiderwell.
Enza A. Swift
March 05, 1914 - May 27, 2008
Peoria, Arizona and formerly of Grinnell
Visitation: 12 noon to 5 pm on Sunday June 01, 2008 at Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell
Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m., Monday June 02, 2008 at Smith Funeral Home, Grinnell
Interment: following funeral service , at Prairie View Cemetery
Enza was born on March 5, 1914, near Tama, Iowa to John and Amelia Everts Quigley. She graduated from Gilman High School and received her teaching certificate from the former Iowa State Teacher’s College in Cedar Falls. She taught school following her education. On March 2, 1935, she was married to Orin Raymond Swift II in Marshalltown. The couple made their home on a farm northwest of Gilman for 63 years. In 1995, they moved to Seeland Park in Grinnell to make their home. Enza was a member of the Gilman United Church of Christ before transferring to the Newburg United Church of Christ. She was also a member of the Iowa Federation Club, the Goodwill Club, local 4-H Clubs and taught Sunday school and was a church Deaconess. She enjoyed cooking and baking goodies for everybody. Her good sense of humor will be missed. Enza is survived by one son, Orin (Nida) Swift III of Good Year, AZ; five grandchildren; three great grandchildren; and one sister Margaret (Ronald) Kenyon of Des Moines, Iowa. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one daughter, Barbara S. Poole; one sister, Katherine Taylor; and three brothers, Ronald, Richard and Raymond Quigley.
Memorials may be directed to the Newburg Congregational Church or to Grinnell Regional Hospice.
Doris Marie Sleeuwenhoek
November 09, 1922 - May 29, 2008
Grinnell, Iowa
Graveside Service: at a later date , at Hazelwood Cemetery
Interment at Hazelwood Cemetery
Memorials may be directed to the Grinnell Senior Center or to Grinnell Regional Hospice.
Craig W. Gosselink
October 14, 1958 - May 29, 2008
Grinnell, Iowa
Visitation: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., with the family present to greet friends from 3 p.m. - 6 p.m., Sunday, June 01, 2008 at Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell
Funeral Service: 2:30 p.m., Monday, June 02, 2008 at Friends Church in Lynnville, Iowa
Craig was born the son of Robert and Norma Castner Gosselink on October 14, 1958, in Oskaloosa, Iowa. He was raised on the family farm near Lynnville and graduated from Lynnville – Sully High School in 1977. Following his education he worked at Pella Corporation in Pella, Iowa. He was married to Rhonda Earp on July 9, 1977 and the couple was blessed with 2 children, Lacie and Craig. Rhonda passed away on November 11, 1984.
Craig was married to Patricia Thompson on May 24, 1986 at the Lynnville Friends Church. The couple resided near Lynnville on the Gosselink family farm where Craig was raised. Craig was a ceramic tile craftsman for 15 years and then farmed full-time beginning in 2003. He had helped his father farm for the past 25 years.
Craig was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who loved attending his grandchildren’s events. His enjoyments included riding 4 wheelers with his grandchildren, attending car races, working on late model and classic cars, and building cruiser cars with his son.
Craig is survived by his parents, Robert and Norma Gosselink of Grinnell; his wife of 22 years, Patricia Gosselink of Grinnell; his children, Lacie (Ronnie) Dykstra of Newton, Iowa and Craig (Kari) Gosselink of Grinnell; and his six grandchildren, Chase Dykstra, Kaiden Gosselink, Lance Dykstra, Dalton Gosselink, Collin Dykstra, and Terran Gosselink.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Craig W. Gosselink Memorial Fund, PO BOX 368, Grinnell, Iowa 50112.
