Obituary courtesy of Will Funeral Home, Mitchell SD:
Harriet J. Kuyper, 88, of Mitchell, SD passed away Sunday, January 11, 2015 at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Corsica, SD. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Saturday, January 17, 2015 at the First Reformed Church, Mitchell, SD. Visitation will be held at First Reformed Church from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Friday, January 16, 2015 with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 PM. Interment will follow lunch at Graceland Cemetery in Corica, SD. Arrangements by Will Funeral Chapel, Mitchell, SD.
Harriet J. Kuyper was born on March 22, 1926 in Perkins, IA (Sioux County) to Peter and Gertrude (Kroon) Punt. She earned a high school diploma from Stickney High School and a Teaching Certificate from the Springfield Normal Teaching College, at which time she taught elementary school.
She was united in marriage to Ernest Kuyper on September 16, 1949 at the maternal parents' home. They farmed until moving to Sacramento, California from 1960 to 1962. After returning to farming in Aurora County, SD, they farmed until 1970 when Ernest’s health compelled a move from farming to owning and managing the Sunset Motel in Stickney, SD.
They moved to Corsica, SD in 1972 at which time Harriet was a paraprofessional in the Corsica Public School system. Later on, Harriet was also a cook at the Corsica Cafe. After Ernest died in 1992, Harriet moved to Mitchell to be closer to her children and families.
Harriet had two strong loves - her faith and her family. At church she was an organist, Sunday School and VBS teacher, choir director and Bible study participant. She lived her faith by helping prison inmates with Bible studies. She was devoted to her husband, children, and grandchildren. They were truly her pride and joy. Harriet J. Kuyper, 88, of Mitchell, SD passed away Sunday, January 11, 2015 at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Corsica, SD after enduring Alzheimer’s with courage and class.
She was preceded in death by: her husband, Ernest Kuyper (September 22, 1992); her parents, Peter A. and Gertrude Punt; her brothers and spouses, N. Dwaine (Gertrude) Punt and Gershom (Wilmetta) Punt; her sister, Donna Hattendorf; brothers-in-law and spouses: John (Margie) Kuyper, Gerb Tolsma; sisters-in-law and spouses: Evelyn (Marvin) Scholten, Lena (Case) VanderWal, Margaret (Stan) Hoekman.
Henry 'Vernon' Punt was born on January 7, 1929, in Sioux County, IA, the son of Peter and Gertrude (Kroon) Punt. In 1939, his family moved to the Aurora Center, SD area. Vernon attended country school through the eighth grade. At the young age of 15, he began working at the Aurora Center Garage.
He was united in marriage to Phyllis Jena Bruinsma on January 26, 1950, in Stickney, SD. The couple started farming in 1950. Vernon began his lifelong career in trucking in 1956. In 1957, the family moved to a farm near Stickney that would be their home for 59 years. In 2016, Vernon celebrated 60 years of Punt Trucking. At that time, he retired from the business, and he and Phyllis moved into Stickney.
Vernon was proud to be part of the Stickney community and was involved in many community activities. Over the years, he served on the Township Board, School Board and Community Club. He was a charter member of the South Dakota Trucking Association. Vernon was also a member of Aurora Reformed Church. Throughout his life. Vernon enjoyed following his children in their activities, bowling, and the Punt family camping trip.
Vernon believed in living his life through hard and honest work. It was those traits Vernon instilled in his family, encouraging them to work hard. Faith was also very important to him; he and Phyllis raised their family to be followers of Christ.
Vernon passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 27. 2019 at his home under hospice care at the age of 90. Grateful to have shared his life is his wife of 69 years, Phyllis Punt, of Stickney, SD; four sons, Robert (Brenda) Punt, of Stickney; Dale (Nancy) Punt of Denver, CO; Alvin (Gail) Punt, of Sioux Falls, SD and Roger (Kandy) Punt, of Stickney, SS; two daughters, Mary Lou (Arlan) Burggraaf, or Brandon, SD and Betty (Bob) Polly of Mitchell, SD; 14 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren; one brother, Adames Punt (Sarah), of Stickney; one sister, Shirley Tolsma, of Mitchell and one sister-in-law, Philomena Punt, of Sioux Falls, as well of a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Vernon is preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Richard, Dwaine and Gershom Punt and two sisters, Harriet Kuyper and Donna Gattendorf.
Obituary courtesy of Bittner Funeral Home, Mitchell SD:
Richard Punt, 87, of Stickney, SD, died Saturday, October 20, 2018 at the Good Samaritan Village in Sioux Falls, SD. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Tuesday, October 23, 2018 at Aurora Reformed Church in Aurora Center, SD. Burial will be at the Aurora Center Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-8:00 PM Monday, October 22 at the church with a 7:00 PM prayer service. Arrangements are by Bittner Funeral Chapel in Mitchell.
Richard Punt was born June 24, 1931 to Peter and Gertrude (Kroon) Punt in Maurice, IA. At age 8 he moved from Iowa to the Stickney Area, where he lived all of his life. He attended country school through 8th grade and served in the US Army from 1953-1954.
He married Philomena Sipma on June 23, 1955 in Corsica, SD. Rich farmed in the Stickney Area from 1955 to 1980. He and Philomena did interior and exterior painting for the next 20 years. Rich drove the school bus for the Stickney School District for 10 years. Since 1939 Rich was a lifelong member of Aurora Reformed Church, where he served as a deacon and an elder.
He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings and in-laws, Harriet and Ernie Kuyper, Dwaine and Gertrude Punt, Gerb Tolsma, Donna and Don Hattendorf, and Gershom and Wilmetta Punt; and granddaughter, Jennifer Oldenkamp.
Donna Hattendorf, age 75, of Sibley, Iowa, passed away on Friday, November 6, 2009, at the Osceola Community Hospital in Sibley. Funeral Services will be Monday, November 9, 2009, at 10:00 A.M. at the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sibley. Rev. Scott Meyer officiating. Burial in the Ocheyedan Township Cemetery in Ocheyedan. Visitation will be Sunday, November 8, 2009, from 3:00 to 7:00 P.M. with the family present from 3:00 to 5:00 P.M. at the Andringa Funeral Home in Sibley.
Donna Hattendorf was born on November 6, 1934, in Perkins, Iowa. She was the daughter of Peter A. and Gertrude (Kroon) Punt. She lived her youth in rural Stickney, South Dakota, and attended school in Aurora Center, South Dakota.
She was united in marriage to Donald Will Hattendorf of Ocheyedan, Iowa, on February 15, 1956, at Aurora Reformed Church in Stickney, South Dakota. They lived in Ocheyedan, and later moved to Sibley, Iowa. Donna was the bookkeeper for their business, Hattendorf Construction. She also worked at Ben Franklin/Sibley Variety in Sibley, for 44 years. She was a member of the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sibley, where she had been a Sunday School Aide and attended the Ruth Rebecca Circle. She was also a former Girl Scout Brownie Leader. Donna enjoyed playing cards and sharing her homemade goodies. Her family and church was her life. She will be remembered as a caring, loving, supportive person and always giving of herself.
Donna was a cancer survivor for 30 years and never complained. The entire family whole-heartedly supported her in the Susan G. Komen Walk Race For A Cure in Sioux City, Iowa. She passed away on Friday, November 6, 2009, at the Osceola Community Hospital in Sibley, Iowa.
Those left to cherish her memories are her husband: Don; two daughters and sons-in-law: Julie and Melvin Zevenbergen of Lake Park, IA; Mavis and Michael Anema of Sheldon, IA; two grandchildren: Justin Zevenbergen and Ashley Zevenbergen; four brothers: Vernon (Phyllis) Punt of Stickney, SD; Adames (Sarah) Punt of Stickney, SD; Richard (Philomena) Punt of Stickney, SD; Gershom (Wilmetta) Punt of Corsica, SD; two sisters: Harriet Kuyper of Mitchell, SD; Shirley Tolsma of Mitchell, SD; brother-in-law: Dale (Sharon) Hattendorf of Castlewood, SD; sister-in-law: Helen Oglesby of Spencer, IA; Foreign Exchange Student of 1990: Saya (Yamamoto) Matsumura of Kumamoto, Japan.
She was preceded in death by her parents: Peter A. and Gertrude Punt; parents-in-law: William and Dorothy Hattendorf; one brother: Dwaine (Gertrude) Punt; brothers-in-law: Ernest Kuyper, Gerben Tolsma, Leon Oglesby; sister-in-law: Mavis Hattendorf.
Donald Will Hattendorf was born on April 27, 1932 in Ocheyedan, Iowa. He was the son of William and Dorothy (Hesebeck) Hattendorf. He lived his youth in rural Ocheyedan where he attended school, worked on the farm with his dad and hauled gas. He served in the United States Army from 1953 to 1954. He attained the rank of Corporal and was honorably discharged. While serving in the army he wrote letters to Donna Mae Punt of Stickney, South Dakota, whom he met through her brother, who was also in the army and a friend of Don.
They dated and were united in marriage on February 15, 1956 at Aurora Reformed Church in Stickney. They lived in Ocheyedan where Don worked for his uncle building churches, which is where he learned the trade of construction. Don and Donna moved to Sibley. Don owned and operated Hattendorf Construction for many years. He especially loved cabinet making. He made and donated gun cabinets for the Osceola County Sportsman’s Club to be auctioned off for their fund raisers. Don and Donna enjoyed Polka music and going to Polka festivals in New Ulm, Minnesota. Donna passed away on November 6, 2009. Don enjoyed pipe organ music, traveling, attending the Minnesota State Fair, practical jokes, history, politics, and he was very passionate about his country.
His children and grandchildren were very special to him. He loved to have fun around them and when things didn’t go right he would say "Oh krautz or Oh fiddle sticks". Now the grandkids say that, also. Don moved to the Country View Manor in Sibley in March of 2017 where he passed away on Monday, April 17, 2017.
Those left to cherish his memories are his two daughters and sons-in-law, Julie and Melvin Zevenbergen of Lake Park, IA, Mavis and Michael Anema of Orange City, IA; his grandchildren, Justin and Alicia Zevenbergen and their son, Kiptyn; Ashley and Andy Posey and their son Carter; Joshua Anema and Caleb Anema; one brother and sister-in-law, Dale and Sharon Hattendorf of Castlewood, SD.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Donna; two sisters, Helen (Leon) Oglesby and Mavis Hattendorf.
Obituary for Wilmetta Punt
Wilmetta "Willie" Punt, 66, of Corsica, SD passed away Wednesday, July 28, 2010 at the Good Samaritan Society in Corsica. Funeral Services will be 9:30 A.M. Saturday, July 31, 2010 at Grace Reformed Church in Corsica. A Committal Service will follow at the Aurora Reformed Church Cemetery in Aurora Center, SD. Visitation will be held at Grace Reformed Church from 6:00 - 8:30 P.M. Friday, July 30, 2010 with 8:30 P.M. Prayer Service.
Wilmetta (Huizenga) Punt was born February 24, 1944 to Arthur and Florence (Maas) Huizenga in Corsica, SD. She attended grade school in New Holland, SD and graduated from Dakota Christian High School. Continuing her education at Nettleton Commercial College in Sioux Falls, SD, she went on to employment as a bank teller for Bank of the West in Corsica.
On October 16, 1964, she was united in marriage to Gershom Punt at the First Reformed Church in Harrison, SD. From this union came two daughters: Wyla and Laura. They made their home in Washington and South Dakota. Wilmetta was a member of the Grace Reformed Church in Corsica. "Willie" loved being outdoors camping and motorcycling, enjoying memorable trips to Yellowstone and Sturgis. She could be found working in her flower and vegetable gardens, taking pleasure in canning her produce. Many have enjoyed her beautiful crochet creations.
Grateful for having shared in "Wilmetta's" life: her husband, Gershom Punt of Corsica, SD; their two daughters: Wyla Punt of Corsica, SD and Laura Howard (Kevin) of Fitchburg, MA; three granddaughters: Madonna Howard, Gillian and Grace Lambert; four brothers: Arnold Huizenga of Renner, SD, Ray Huizenga of Lynden, WA, Norm Huizenga of Platte, SD and Roger Huizenga of Platte, SD; along with several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Wilmetta was preceded in death by: her parents, Arthur and Florence Huizenga and a sister-in-law, Iris Huizenga.
Obituary for Gershom Punt
Gershom Punt, 68, of Corsica, SD passed away Friday, August 16, 2013 at his home. Funeral Services are 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, August 21, 2013 at Aurora Reformed Church in Aurora Center, SD. A Committal Service will follow at Aurora Reformed Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church from 5:00 - 7:00 P.M. Tuesday, August 20, 2013 with a 7:00 P.M. Prayer Service.
Gershom P. Punt was born on February 22, 1945 in Stickney, SD to Peter & Gertrude (Kroon) Punt. He attended Stickney Public School and was united in marriage to Wilmetta A. Huizenga on October 16, 1964 in Harrison, SD. Together they lived in Lynden and Poulsbo, WA and in 1976 moved back to South Dakota and raised their family.
Gershom worked various places over the years, but his final work was done for CHS in Corsica. He loved his family and was proud of his children and grandchildren. He rode motorcycles for many years with his wife, Willie, and really enjoyed riding. He and Willie attended the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally for many years. He was a member of Aurora Reformed Church in Aurora Center, SD.
Grateful for having shared in Gershom's life: his two children: Wyla Punt of Corsica, SD and Laura Howard and husband, Kevin of Fitchburg, MA; his three grandchildren: Madonna Rochelle Howard, Gillian McKenzie Lambert and Grace Katherine Lambert of Fitchburg, MA; three brothers: Vernon Punt, Richard Punt and Adames Punt all of Stickney, SD; two sisters: Shirley Tolsma of Mitchell, SD and Harriet Kuyper of Corsica, SD; along with many nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by: his wife, Wilmetta (July 28, 2010); his parents, Peter and Gertrude; his brother, N. Dwaine Punt; and his sister, Donna Hattendorf.