Gerrit was united in marriage to Bertha Steenhoek. They were the parents of five chioldren: Donna and Jim Clousing, Arlo and Carol Beyer, Dennis and Vicki Beyer, Lavern and Marlene Beyer, and Navona Beyer-Sanbulte. Gerrit, 90 of Oskaloosa, passed away Sept. 2 2001.
Those left to honor his ife are his wife; their five children and their spouses; 15 grandchildren and 14 graat-grandchiildren.
Of his original family, Gerrit, leaves two sisters: Evelyn Mae (William) Rouw and Alta Marie (Arthur L) De Raad; his youngest brother, Arthur John "Bob" Beyer and his wife, Elma; and another sister-in-law, Henrietta (Everett Henry) Beyer all of Pella.
Gerrit was preceded in death by a grandson, Scott Clousing; his parents; his two older sisters Bertha Helena (William) Van ee and Elizabeth Alice (Herman) Tuinstra; and his brother, Everett Henry Beyer.
Alta Marie (Beyer) De Raad, 93, formerly of Prairie City, IA, passed away Sunday
morning at her residence in Vriendschap Village in Pella, IA.
Alta Marie wife of the late Arthur L. De Raad, leaves four children and their spouses: Gene and Marilyn DeRaad of Gilbert, AZ, Verlan and Sandy DeRaad of Colfax, IA, Lorraine and Mark LeMahieu of Oostburg, WI, Bruce and Patti DeRaad of Runnells, IA; 10 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren; and one brother, Bob (Elma) Beyer of Pella.
Arthur John Beyer was born on September 17, 1923.
He was the youngest of seven children that were born to Arie and Marie (Van Zee) Beyer
on the family farm on the Marion/Jasper County line near Monroe, Iowa.
Being the youngest sibling he acquired the name "Bobby" and throughout his life he was
known as 'Bob'.
Bob received his grade school education at the Valley View Country School and he was a
member of the first graduating class from Pella Christian High School at Pella, Iowa
in 1941.
While skating at a skating rink in Pella Bob asked Elma May Bloodsworth to take her home and from there it was a relationship of over 71 years. On November 30, 1948, they were united in marriage at the Second Reformed Church in Pella and to this union two children were born: Vicky Lynn and Vance Leon. Bob farmed the family farm where he and Elma continued to live for 45 years. In 1994 they moved into Pella where they settled into the little brick cottage at the Historical Village. Bob enjoyed playing and demonstrating "Goliath" the giant player organ, as well as hosting guests at the Windmill. He loved Tulip Time along with fishing and reading. Bob and Elma spent 20 years at the 'historical museum' as the grandchildren called it. In April 2019, they became residents at The Cottages where they enjoyed playing cards and participating in many activities. On Tuesday, December 3, 2019, he passed away at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House at the age of 96 years. Those who will cherish his memory are his wife, Elma; their two children and their families.
Bob was preceded in death by his son-in-law, James Kessler; a great-granddaughter, Shayleigh Boot; his parents, Arie and Marie Beyer; and all his sisters and brothers and their spouses: Elizabeth and Herman Tuinstra, Bertha and William Van Zee, Evelyn and William Rouw, Alta Marie and Arthur De Raad, Henry and Henrietta Beyer, Gerrit and Bertha Beyer; along with his parents-in-law, Thomas and Corlena (Verwers) Bloodsworth; and brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Clarence Bloodsworth, Virgil and Maxine Bloodsworth.
Bob was baptized at the Otley Christian Reformed Church in Otley, Iowa where he made profession of his faith. At the time of his death he was a member of the Calvary Christian Reformed Church in Pella, Iowa. Bob was the last surviving member of his original family. He will be remembered as a believer, a devoted husband, a nurturing father, loving grandfather and super great-grandfather.
We loved you, Elma, Vicky, Vance & Dee and family.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2019 at 10:30 am, Calvary Christian Reformed Church , Pella, Iowa. Interment will be made in Oakwood Cemetery, Pella, Iowa. Visitation will begin Friday after 2:00 pm with family present from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Calvary Christian Reformed Church. Memorial contributions are suggested for Hospice of Pella Comfort House or Calvary Christian Reformed Church video ministry.
[Van Dyk - Duven Funeral Home web site]
Elma May Beyer was born February 6, 1929, on one of her grandmother's farms in
Fifield, Iowa.
Elma was the middle child of Thomas J. and Corlena (Verwers) Bloodsworth, known as
"Sis."
Elma attended Pella schools.
While she was in high school, her mother had a severe heart attack, so she quit school to take care of her mother. Elma worked at the Rolscreen, assembling Venetian blinds, went home at noon to take care of her mother, then back to work. She enjoyed her job and the ladies she worked with at Rolscreen. She was always included in the class of 1947 reunions.
While she was skating at the Pella roller rink, Bob spotted Elma and asked to take her home. That turned into a 71-year marriage. Bob and Elma were married November 30, 1948, at the Second Reformed Church in Pella. To this union two children were born: Vicky Lynn and Vance Leon. For never wanting to marry a farmer or live on a farm, Bob and Elma raised their family on the family farm for 45 years.
She was a creative, busy lady. She had a huge vegetable garden, sewed, and knit continually. She learned how to swim at age 50, took great care of their grandchildren and had a wonderful time singing with the Gospel Heirs. In 1994 they moved to Pella to live in the Historical Village. They enjoyed participating in all of the village activities. Bob and Elma cut Heritage lace in their own little "sweat shop" on the second floor of their home in the Historical Village. They also enjoyed taking care of their great grandchildren, entertaining friends and family, and traveling. In 2019, Bob and Elma moved to The Cottages. They were quite the socialites; saying how busy they were with all the activities there.
Elma was preceded in death by her husband Bob, her parents Thomas and Corlena Bloodsworth, parents-in-law Arie and Marie Beyer, brother Virgil (Maxine) Bloodsworth, brother Clarence Bloodsworth MIA/KIA Korean Conflict, son-in-law James Kessler, great granddaughter Shayleigh Boot, and Bob's brothers and sisters: Bertha and William Van Zee, Evelyn and William Rouw, Elizabeth and Herman Tuinstra, Gerrit and Bertha Beyer, Henry and Henrietta Beyer, and Alta Marie and Arthur De Raad.
[Adapted from Garden Chapel Funeral Home website]