Gerrit Marvin Van Der Wilt

IN MEMORY OF

GERRIT M. VAN DER WILT

BORN
March 20, 1931
Middleburg, Iowa
PASSED AWAY
October 16, 2007
Orange City, Iowa

MEMORIAL SERVICE
11:00 A.M. Saturday
October 20, 2007
First Reformed Church ~ Sheldon, Iowa
CLERGY
Rev. Stephen Breen & Pastor Jody Habinck
Visitation
After 2:00pm Friday at the First Reformed Church in Sheldon, Iowa
with the family present from 6:00 – 8:00pm.
MUSIC
“My Tribute”
Vocalists: Gered De Hoogh
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS
“It Is Well With My Soul”
“Great Is Thy Faithfulness”
“How Great Thou Art”
Organist: Luann Donkersloot

CASKET BEARERS
Nathan Punt Mark Blankers
Paul Clemens Daniel Clemens
Kyle Blankers Jason Blankers
HONORARY CASKET BEARERS
Garret Van Der Wilt David Kadlec
Jacob Van Der Wilt Joshua Kadlec
Brett Van Der Wilt Carter Van Donge

FINAL RESTING PLACE
Capel Township Cemetery at Middleburg, Iowa

PRAYER SERVICE
9:00 A.M. Saturday, October 20, 2007
Free Grace Reformed Church ~ Middleburg, Iowa
Flag Presentation by the Sheldon American Legion Post #145
Boyden American Legion William Monster Post # 272

Arrangements under the care of
Vander Ploeg Funeral Home of Sheldon, Iowa
Gerrit “Gary” Marvin Van Der Wilt, the son of Frank and Eva (Van Oort) Van Der Wilt, was born March 20, 1931 on the family farm near Middleburg, IA. He attended a country school near Middleburg and two years at Hull Community School in Hull, IA and received his GED while he was in the service. Gary served as a surveyor in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. After his discharge, he returned home and farmed with his dad. Gary was united in marriage to Eunice Jouwstra on June 14, 1957 in Rock Valley, IA. The couple farmed and made their home on the Van Der Wilt Family Farm near Middleburg, which became a Century Farm in 1989. Eunice preceded him in death on April 18, 1990. Gary then married Muriel (Noteboom) Blankers on February 5, 1991 in Orange City, IA and moved to Muriel’s farm home near Matlock, IA. Gary continued to farm with his son, Frank on the family farm. Gary passed away on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at the Orange City Area Heath System in Orange City, IA, reaching the age of 76 years, 6 months and 26 days.

He was a past member of the Free Grace Reformed Church in Middleburg and a current member of the First Reformed Church in Sheldon. He participated in both churches in many capacities, including serving as a deacon and elder, Youth Group sponsors and teaching Sunday School and Catechism. He enjoyed serving as a Words of Hope board member and supporting other missions. He was a member of the Sheldon American Legion Post #145 and Boyden American Legion William Monster Post # 272. Gary enjoyed the friendships he developed through farming and raising cattle and he was a life long fan of the St. Louis Cardinals. His grandchildren were especially dear to his heart.
Gary leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, Muriel of Sheldon, IA; and her parents, Hubert and Bernice Noteboom of Orange City, IA; three daughters and their spouses, Loretta “Lori” and Harvard Punt of Hull, IA; Evonne and Gary Blankers of Portage, MI; Sharla and Jim Clemens of Orange City, IA; a son, Franklin and his wife, Beth (Van Meeteren) Van Der Wilt of Orange City, IA; three step-children and their spouses, Sherri and Dan Kadlec of Bloomington, MN; Bruce and Judi Blankers of Sheldon, IA; Kari and Ryan Van Donge of Sioux Falls, SD; twenty grandchildren, Heidi Punt and her fiancée, Dan Oolman; Nathan and Kristi Punt; Andrea, Mark and Emily Blankers; Rachel and Ben Cuthbert, Paul, Daniel and Anna Clemens; Garret, Jacob, Brett and Jenna Van Der Wilt; David and Joshua Kadlec; Kyle, Jason and Sarah Blankers; Carter and Mya Van Donge; one great-granddaughter, Haylee Punt; three sisters, Ann Boote of Orange City, IA; Marvella and her husband, Jim Van Klompenburg of Sioux City, IA; Hermina and her husband, Bob LaPoint of Ft. Collins, CO. Other survivors include Eunice’s and Muriel’s siblings; along with nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Eunice; and infant son, Gaylin Merle; his parents and a brother-in-law, Bill Boote.


Psalm 121
I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.