Obituary of Orville Wiersma

Orville Dwaine Wiersma, the son of Gerrit and Jennie (Kreykes) Wiersma, was born on May 21, 1926 at Sanborn, Iowa. He grew up in Sheldon and graduated from Sheldon High School. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Orville was united in marriage to Beverly Bress on November 23, 1950 in Sheldon. They made their home in Sheldon for most of their married life, and were blessed with four children: Karen, Cindy, Julie and Dennis. He owned and operated the Manila Dry Cleaners in Manila, IA and then worked for the U.S. Postal Service as a carrier and postmaster at the Sheldon, Alvord and Sanborn post offices for 30 years. He retired in 1983. Orville and Beverly traveled after their retirement for eighteen years with their fifth wheel trailer. They traveled to all 48 states in the US, except Alaska and Hawaii. In 2000, they moved to an apartment in Spencer, IA. Orville passed away at his home with his family by his side on Friday, March 19, 2010 at the age of 83. Orville loved traveling, and playing and visiting with his children and grandchildren. He was active in the American Legion and the Rural Mail Carrier Association. Left to cherish his memory are his wife Beverly of 59 years; children: Karen Brown, and her husband, Mike of Sutherland, IA, Cindy Prevo, and her husband, Mark of Bloomfield, IA, Julie Waterman, and her husband Todd of Milford, IA, and Dennis Wiersma of Cherokee, IA. Eight grandchildren: Travis (Leigh) Brown, Chad (Elizabeth) Brown, Kevin (Angela) Prevo, Jason (Amanda) Prevo, Kyle Prevo, Matthew Waterman, Christina (Kyle) Colman and Danielle Wiersma, other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Jim and Don, a sister, Iva, and a great grandson, Trevor. Celebrating the life of Orville D. Wiersma Born ~ May 21, 1926 Died ~ March 19, 2010 Age ~ 83 years 10 months 28 days Funeral Service 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 23, 2010 Sanborn Funeral Home Chapel Sanborn, Iowa Officiating ~ Rev. Tom Van Tassel Rev. Paul Hanson Organist ~ Arlene Dykstra Soloist ~ Darlene Petitt Special Music “Amazing Grace” “In The Garden” Pallbearers Chad Brown Travis Brown Kevin Prevo Jason Prevo Matthew Waterman Kyle Prevo Christina Colman Danielle Wiersma Inurnment Roseland Cemetery Sanborn, Iowa (At a later date) Please join the family for lunch and fellowship at Jay’s Restaurant following the funeral service. l Sanborn and Hartley Funeral Homes Kent Billings and Andrea Orthmann, Directors www.sanborn-hartleyfuneralhomes.com In Loving Memory of our Dad It’s time to take a moment, And think about our Dad. The many things we did with him, Throughout the life he had. It seems like only yesterday, We’d hear his whistle call, It meant he wanted us to come, We did not dare to stall! In summer we’d go camping, What family fun we had, We stayed in campers of all sorts, All customized by Dad. Our Dad could do most anything, Our house he built from scratch, It may have taken him nine years, But it was built to last. The memories that we cherish, Are too many for this rhyme, We’ll always keep them in our thoughts, From now until all time. A part of us went with him, It still doesn’t seem quite real, He’s in our hearts and thoughts each day, We love him and always will. By Cindy Prevo