The Oskaloosa Herald
NEW SHARON —
Gerrit P. Terpstra, 87, of rural New Sharon, died Wednesday, July 11, 2012, at the Oskaloosa Care Center in Oskaloosa.
He was born Jan. 25, 1925, southwest of Beacon, the son of Peter and Jennie Plate Terpstra. He made his Profession of Faith at an early age at the Central Reformed Church. He graduated from the Barnes City High School with the class of 1943. On Oct. 22, 1944, he was united in marriage to Geraldine Visscher at Unionville, Mo. Early on they lived on the ‘S’ curve north of Oskaloosa and ran a service station. They later moved to a farm. In 1958, they moved to their current farm northeast of Oskaloosa where he and Geraldine farmed for many years. He also worked for Van Gorp Implement for 28 years as a set-up and delivery man while farming. In retirement he continued to farm with his son Gary. In May of 2012, he moved to the Oskaloosa Care Center in Oskaloosa. He enjoyed farming and raising cattle.
His family includes his wife of over 67 years Geraldine Terpstra, of Oskaloosa; a son and his wife, Gary and Elaine Terpstra, of rural New Sharon; a daughter and her husband, Kathy and Scott Shaw, of New Sharon; a son-in-law, Gene Phillips, of Oskaloosa; three granddaughters, Suzanne Vander Wiel, Shelly (and Shawn) Serba, and Stacy (and Casey) Sammons; a grandson, Kyle (and Heather) Shaw; five great-grandchildren, Cheyenne Shaw, Jaylin Vander Wiel, Gage Shaw, Colton Vander Wiel, Cyler Sammons; two brothers, John (and Charlea) Terpstra, of Beacon, and David Terpstra, of Mexico, Mo.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and a daughter Judy Phillips; and a sister-in-law, Irene Terpstra.
Funeral services will be held Friday, July 13, at 10 a.m. in the Central Reformed Church in Oskaloosa with the Rev. Don DeGlopper officiating. There will be a family prayer service at 9:45 in the West Wing of the Church. Burial will be in the Forest Cemetery. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Visitation will begin Thursday after 2 p.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel from 5-7 Thursday evening to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to the Central Reformed Church.
