Shirley Louise Visser, 95, passed away on April 3, 2018 at The Faith Lutheran Home in Wolf Point, MT. Shirley was born October 9, 1922 to Beldon Reid and Miriam (Burke) Taylor on Little Porcupine Creek, North of Frazer, MT. She spent her childhood there, on the farm, before the family moved to Wolf Point. Mom was educated in Wolf Point and developed a lifetime appreciation for learning, graduating in 1941. It was during these years that she helped her father and mother run the Triangle Café and Service Station, a Wolf Point Landmark for many years.
Shirley was married to Robert Niblett and to this union a daughter, Christie Alice, was born in 1945. They later divorced. On June 9, 1952, she was wed to Anton (Tony) Visser, and this marriage produced Dennis Dale in 1953, and Rachel Jean in 1958. They made their home in Wolf Point the many succeeding years, where Shirley was a housewife, a wonderful mother, a den mother in the Cub Scouts, and also managed to work at the Wolf Point Implement for many years. In 1969, Shirley and Tony purchased the Triangle Café where she developed friendships that she treasured all of her life. Their next adventure found them moving to Williston, North Dakota in 1972.
Shirley had always been a lover of verse, writing short stories, poetry, children’s books and bible stories. She was always writing, but during these years, she was especially productive, always honing her skills. She won numerous writing awards through the years. Mom was in her 60’s when she decided to return to college at Minot State University. She graduated and obtained her teacher’s certificate. Against all odds, and to her great determination, she taught school in a one room school house in Ingomar, MT to 6 children. Tony passed away in 2000, and Shirley wanted to move back to her beloved Wolf Point. It was always her love and she lived there the remainder of her life.
Our mother was a talented individual, over the years she sewed ornate quilts and pillows, doll clothes, and curtains. She also was an accomplished cook and baker. Being a restaurant owner, she knew how to feed a branding crew or set a table for the President. Mom was an adventuresome soul, always making time for a grandchild, to read a story, go swimming, or have a picnic. As all of us matured, we found she offered solid advice in whatever trials we were having, always backed with her commitment to her Lord, Jesus Christ.
She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, brothers Burk and Douglas Taylor, and sister Geraldine Jensen.
She is survived by her two daughters, Christie (Ralph) Ferdina of Wolf Point, Rachel (Joe) Hastings of Bismarck, ND, one son Dennis (Kim) Visser of Williston, ND. She will also be remembered by 9 grandchildren, Wendy, Jay, Jill, Jana, Jade, Ryan, Jaclyn, Shawna and Beau, 15 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren.
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel
Lucille Miedema, age 87, of Hospers, passed away October 4, 2019, at Fellowship Village
in Inwood, Iowa.
Lucille Gertrude was born on July 9, 1932, in Colton, South Dakota, the daughter of Wiebren "Weep" and Adrianna "Alice" (Burgers) Visser. She was raised in Colton, where she graduated from high school. As a young woman, she moved to Le Mars, where she was employed at the Cap Factory, which later became K-Products.
On December 28, 1956, she married Edward Andrew Miedema in Colton. They briefly made their home in Grand Rapids, Michigan, until returning to Northwest Iowa in 1958. They lived in Sheldon for a few years but spent the majority of their married life in Hospers, where Lucille was a homemaker and helped with the bookkeeping for their trucking business. As "Ed’s" health failed, she became his devoted caretaker until he passed away on April 18, 2006, in Rock Valley, after more than 49 years of marriage.
In 2014, "Lucy" became a resident of Fieldcrest Assisted Living in Sheldon. In 2016, she moved to the Fellowship Village in Inwood.
She was a long-time member of the First Christian Reformed Church, where she participated in the Golden Hour Circle and the ladies’ aide. In earlier years, she volunteered at the Hospers Christian School.
Lucy enjoyed having coffee with her friends where they were "not gossiping, they were just concerned". She also liked collecting antique glassware, refinishing antique furniture, and baking, and was known for making "the best" banana bread. She loved to spend time with her family, and for many years hosted Sunday dinner for her children and grandchildren.
Survivors include her five children and their spouses, Sheryl and John Slegers, of Alton, Iowa; Larry and Karen Miedema, of Sioux Center, Iowa; Edward Jay and Marnee Miedema, of Hospers, Iowa; Vicki and Tim Lammers, of Boyden, Iowa; and Tami and Jason Johnson, of Inwood, Iowa; seventeen grandchildren, Sarah Slegers, Joseph (Ashley) Slegers, James Slegers, Anna (Nate) Vruwink, Stephanie (Kyle) Den Herder, Nathan (Becky) Miedema, David Miedema, Mark Miedema, Zachary (Madison) Miedema, Tanner Miedema, Justin (Katie) Lammers, Mariah (Casey) Schilling, Philip Lammers, Jacob (fiancé, Karissa De Jong) Johnson, Jessica Johnson, Jackson Johnson, and Jenner Johnson; six great-grandchildren, Taya, Jayden, Bennett, Alex, Saylor, and Tucker; two sisters, Bernice Wrage, of Dell Rapids, South Dakota; and Ethel (Gerald) Vander Vliet, of Colton, South Dakota; two brothers-in-law, Andrew (Joan) Miedema, of Orange City, Iowa; and Nelvin (Sharol) Miedema, of Sheldon, Iowa; and two sisters-in-law, Sharlene Miedema, of Edgerton, Minnesota; and Mary Miedema, of Hull, Iowa.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by eight brothers and sisters, Nellie (Archie) Waswick, Henrietta (John) Roetman, Winnie Visser, Anton (Shirley) Visser, Walt (Marie) Visser, Wilhelmina (Hjalmer) Wickre, Audrey (Joe) Wold, Arlene (Charles) Hardy; a sister-in-law, Berdena (Kenneth) Roos; and two brothers-in-law, Henry Miedema, and Robert Miedema.
Memorial Service: October 9, 2019 - First Christian Reformed Church - Hospers, Iowa
Officiant:The Rev. Duane Tinklenberg
Interment: Hospers Cemetery - Hospers, Iowa
Arrangements: Oolman Funeral Home - Orange City, Sioux County, Iowa
Source: Oolman Funeral Home
Mr. Edward Miedema, age 76, of Hospers, passed away on Tuesday, April 18, at the Valley
Manor Nursing Home in Rock Valley.
There will be a memorial service on Friday, April 21, at 11:00am, at the Christian Reformed Church in Hospers. The Rev. Duane Tinklenberg will officiate. Interment will be prior to the service at the Hospers Cemetery. There will be a prayer service on Friday, at 10:00am, at the Oolman Funeral Home in Hospers. Visitation will be after 4:00pm on Thursday, with the family present from 6:00pm to 8:00pm, at the funeral home.
Edward Andrew was born on December 26, 1929, at Hospers, the son of Albert and Jessie (Wieringa) Miedema. He was raised on a farm near Hospers, where he attended the Christian School. He then graduated from Western Christian High School in Hull, after which he drove a gravel truck in the Hospers-Sheldon area. From January of 1952 to January of 1954, he served in the United States Marine Corps. After the Korean Conflict, he moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he was employed at Keeler Brass.
On December 28, 1956, he married Lucille Gertrude Visser at Colton, South Dakota. In 1958, they returned to Hospers, where he entered the trucking business. He was self-employed and also worked for various companies. His favorite occupation was being owner of the Miedema Hay Company. On December 3, 2004, he became a resident of the Valley Manor.
"Ed" was a member of the Hospers Christian Reformed Church, and he had served on the board of trustees of the Hospers Christian School. He was also a proud member of Reuter American Legion Post 423 in Hospers. In younger years, Ed played softball in the Marines and on the Van Iperen fast pitch softball team, where he was known for his pitching ability. He had a quick wit and a wonderful sense of humor. He liked having coffee with friends and participating in Legion activities. He especially enjoyed singing and listening to country gospel music, and he loved spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife of 49 years; five children and their spouses, Sheryl and John Slegers, of Orange City; Larry and Karen Miedema, of Sioux Center; Edward Jay and Marnee Miedema, of Hospers; Vicki and Tim Lammers, of Boyden; and Tami and Jason Johnson, of Inwood; seventeen grandchildren, Sarah, Joseph, James, and Anna Slegers; Stephanie, Nathan, David, and Mark Miedema; Zachary and Tanner Miedema; Justin, Mariah, and Philip Lammers; and Jacob, Jessica, Jackson, and Jenner Johnson; three brothers, Andrew Miedema, and his wife, Joan, of Alton; Nelvin Miedema, and his wife, Sharol, of Hospers; and Robert Miedema, of Edgerton, Minnesota; and a brother-in-law, Kenneth Roos, and a sister-in-law, Mary Miedema, both of Sheldon.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Berdena Roos, and a brother, Henry Miedema.
Memorials will be directed to the Christian Education Fund of the Hospers Christian Reformed Church.
"Well done, good and faithful servant; enter into the joy of thy Lord," from Matthew 25:21.
Source: Oolman Funeral Homes