Robert "Bob" Braaksma, the son of John and Carrie (Van Wyk) Braaksma, was born the eldest of 10 children on July 1, 1925 in rural Sully, Iowa. He attended country school in the Lynnville area. On January 7, 1947, Bob was united in marriage to Jennett Williams at her home in rural Taintor. To this union three boys were born, Gene, Curtis and Ron. Bob worked as a farmhand before purchasing land from his father-in-law farming 40 years. Bob also worked several years at the Searsboro elevator. Jennett passed away February 11, 1994.
He then was married to JoAnn DeHoedt and she passed away November 9, 2014. Bob enjoyed dancing, camping, attending flea markets, coffee time and spending time with his family. He was also an avid hunter and fisherman, taking several fishing trips to Canada. Bob was a member of the Lynnville Friends Church. He was on the Lynnville Telephone Board, the Poweshiek County Fair Board and was a Swine Supervisor.
His memory will be honored by his children, Gene Braaksma, Curtis (Jann) Braaksma and Ron Braaksma all of Lynnville; step children, Dale (Debbie) DeHoedt, Dean (Dodie) DeHoedt and Diane DeHoedt; four grandchildren, Todd (Toni) Braaksma, Christine (Jason) Forret, Lesley (Steve) Beerends and Maren Braaksma; six great grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; a brother, Larry Braaksma of Newton; three sisters: Frances Enyart of Georgia and Leona Nielsen of Chariton.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents; two wives, Jennett Braaksma and JoAnn Braaksma; a grandson, Ryan Braaksma; brothers, Gysbert "Bud" Braaksma, Carroll "Butch" Braaksma, Louis Braaksma and Wayne Braaksma and two sisters, Viola Mae and Gertrude Hites.
JoAnn Braaksma age 77 of rural New Sharon, Iowa passed away on Sunday at the Hospice
Serenity House in Oskaloosa, Iowa.
Burial in the West Liberty Cemetery West of Montezuma, Iowa.
JoAnn Darlene VanDoorn was the daughter of Rich (Ryk) and Nellie Tigchelaar VanDoorn. She was married to Lee Edward DeHoedt on July 8, 1955 at the Methodist Chapel in Montezuma, Iowa. They were the parents of Dale, Dean and Diane. For 35 years they spent most of their life farming and milking cows. Lee passed away in 1986.
JoAnn was married to Robert Braaksma on June 7, 1997 by the flower garden at home. JoAnn was a lifelong resident of the area and enjoyed her flower gardens, flea markets, sewing, dancing and all the grandkids and great grandkids. She will be remembered in our hearts as a very hard worker and a kind heart that would help anyone out. She accepted Jesus as her savior on January 6, 2011.
Dorothy Jean Van Doorn was born March 4, 1938, in Oskaloosa, Iowa.
She was one of twelve children born to John and Katie (Slycord) Petersma.
She attended school through the eighth grade in Newton, and lived most of her life in
the Pella and New Sharon areas.
On September 20, 1957, Dorothy was united in marriage to Jerry Van Doorn in Oskaloosa, Iowa. She was a farm wife, worked for Pella Corp. for 20 years, and retired in 1999. Dorothy and Jerry loved spending winters in Arizona. They were part of a motorcycle club, and enjoyed casino trips and dancing. Dorothy loved spending time with family and attending all their birthday parties.
Those left to cherish her memory are siblings: Leonard and the late Janet of Gravity, Iowa, Mary and Roy De Long of Leighton, Iowa, Evelyn and Dwight Asher o Beacon, Iowa, Richard and Sharon Petersma of Pella, Betty of Little Rock, Arkansas, John of Longview, Texas, Robert and Becky of Round Rock, Texas, and Norm and Debora of Marble Falls, Texas; and sisters-in-law Linda Petersma of Oskaloosa, Iowa, Pam of Colorado Springs, Colorado. She is also survived by her many, many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews and friends.
Preceding her in death were her husband Jerry, her parents, and her siblings: Margaret Ann Clark, Harold Petersma, Charlie Petersma.
[Garden Chapel Funeral Home web site]