VISSER, ROGER AND NANCY (PLUIM)
September 8, 1963 was the beginning of a new household in Sioux Center. On that hot, fall Sunday afternoon Nancy Pluim and Roger Visser were married. Roger, the son of Leonard and Angeline Visser and Nancy, the daughter of Art and Nancy Pluim, both grew up in Sioux Center. Their first home together was a small mobile home in the trailer court on 4th Avenue NE. A son, Jeffrey Allen, soon joined the household keeping Nancy busy at home. Roger worked at Visser Brothers Elevator then owned by hiss father, Leonard, and uncle Johnny Visser.
In the summer of 1965 Roger and Nancy built a new home at 5th Avenue SE in what is known as the Husiman Addition. At that time there were maybe 10 homes in this addition with cornfields directly across the road. Jacquelynn joined this family in the fall of 1968.
The summer of 1969 brought a new challenge to Roger and Nancy. After considerable thought and debate they purchased a 5-acre farm just west of Sioux Center from Lloyd and Gracia Punt. The acreage included a house, several barns and a 5000-bird laying house complete with chickens! Mikkel completed the family in the spring of 1970, so between the laying house and 3 small children, Nancy had little time for anything else. With the death of Rogers uncle Johnny and his father, Leonard, Roger bought the elevator with his brother, Larry.
Rog Visser Family. Front row L-R: Nancy Visser, Jacquelynn De Jong, Jaclyn Te Brink, Roger
Visser. Middle row L-R: Sandy Visser, Mikkel Te Brink. Back row L-R: Jeff Visser, Greg De Jong,
Jeff Te Brink.
Roger and Nancy, with their 3 children, were charter members of the Covenant Christian Reformed Church. The children attended the Christian School in Sioux Center and then Unity Christian High School in Orange City. The children were active in community programs. A special highlight was being members of the Sea Hawk Swim Team for many years.
After graduation from high school, Jeff joined the Air Force and was stationed in Rapid City for 3 years where he met and married Sandy Havelka from Dickinson, North Dakota. They now live in Sioux Center where Jeff is employed at Visser Elevator, Inc. and Sandy is the manager of Hardee's in Orange City.
Jacquelynn graduated from high school and attended Dordt College before marrying Greg De Jong from Sheldon. They now live in Sheldon where Greg manages The Courtyard Family Fitness Center and Jacquelynn attends nurses training.
Mikkel attended cosmetology school in Le Mars and her husband, Jeff Te Brink from Orange City, graduated from Western Iowa Tech with a degree in Police Science. They have one daughter, Jaclyn.
With the children reaching adulthood, Nancy decided to go back to college and after 6 years, received her bachelor's degree in social work. She went on to the University of Nebraska at Omaha for her master's degree.
Roger continues to manage Visser Elevator, Inc. with the help of brother Dennis and cousin Garret Visser who took over after Larry's death in 1986. Roger has been active in his church as a council member, has served on the Dordt Board and on the Iowa Grain and Feed Board.
by NancyVisser