Ollie Wiertzema

Ollie Wiertzema, son of Walter Wiertzema and Angeline Groenwold Wiertzema, was born August 18, 1924 in Little Rock, Iowa and died March 25, 2012 at the Greene County Medical Center in Jefferson, Iowa at the age of 87.After Ollie's schooling, he worked for farmers in the area. He was united in marriage with Ivadel Wilma Garrels. They lived in Sibley, Iowa where Ollie worked at the Lumberyard, Farmers Cooperative and later was self employed. Ollie's father was a carpenter, so it was a bit natural that he would put his own skills to work - and very successfully. Ollie was inducted in the U.S. Army March 31, 1945 and was honorably discharged December 29, 1946. He was awarded the Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal (Japan) and Asiatic Pacific Service Medal. The family moved to Jefferson in 1967 where Ollie worked for Shriver Construction before staring his own business. In 1986, Ollie closed his business, but continued to do carpenter jobs. Ollie was a member of the VFW Post and the American Legion Post in Jefferson. He loved to fish and hunt (especially pheasants) and often had his grandson and his friends as buddies. Ollie also enjoyed his garden, tending to his walnuts, and for many, many years bowled. But Ollie's greatest love was helping his family in any way he could. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Paul, his siblings, Rose Willemssen, Angie Boekhout, Jane Houton, Gert Groote, Ann Buchman, Grace Gertsema, Walt Wiertzema and Harry Wiertzema. Ollie's memory is cherished by his wife Ivadel of Jefferson, IA; son Mark Wiertzema and his wife Sandy of Milton, Ontario, Canada; daughter-in-law Mary Ann Wiertzema of Waverly, Iowa; 3 grandchildren Nathan Wiertzema and wife Amber of Ames, IA; Nicole Wiertzema of Waverly, IA; and Jonathan Wiertzema of Phoenix, New York; 5 great-grandchildren, Madison, Paige, Kailey, Ethan, and Lillian; sister-in-law Viola Nash of Moville, Iowa; other relatives and many, many friends. www.hastingsfh.com