Gerrit Zomermaand, 87, of Struble, died Thursday, March 9, 2006, at his residence.

Gerrit John Zomermaand was born March 20, 1918, to Egbert and Petranella (Van Voorst) Zomermaand in Rock Valley. He was one of 15 children including his twin sister, Henrietta Niemeyer.

As he grew up he worked for many farmers in the area. In January 1943, he enlisted in the service, first in the Army Air Corp and later in an infantry. He was stationed in Norfolk, Va. On April 5, 1943, he was joined in marriage to Johanna Niessink of Sioux Center. The couple exchanged their vows in South Mills, S.C. Gerrit was then stationed in Germany and later Japan. He arrived home from Japan in February 1946. The couple moved to a farm one mile east of Sioux Center where six of their children were born. In 1963, they moved to a farm near Struble.

Gerrit became ill in 1969, and spent seven months in an Omaha hospital. From that point on he was in poor health due to heart, lung and blood disease. He moved into the town of Struble, in 1975 and lived there since.

On March 9, 2006, at 11a.m., he went home to be with his Lord at his home in Struble. He was surrounded by the love of his wife of 63 years, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren that he loved and enjoyed very much.

While living in the Sioux Center area, Gerrit was a member of Bethel Christian Reformed Church. and then after moving to Struble he became a devoted member of Calvin Christian Reformed Church of Le Mars.

Gerrit is survived by his wife, Johanna; six children and their spouses: Garald and Karen Zomermaand of Rock Valley, Mary and John Van Hill of Le Mars, Henry and Sharon Zomermaand of Maurice, Jan and Bob Hughes of Struble, Chuck and Elaine Zomermaand of Struble, Bonnie and Ken Hunter of Harris.; 21 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; six sisters: Hennrietta Niemeyer of Inwood, Anna Vande Wege of Michigan, Nellie Mesman of California, Alice Topp of California, Rolena Wissink of Ankeny, Albertha Van Hofwegen of California, Hattie Boeve of California; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Nelva Jo; son-in-law, Steven Swier; grandson, Kelly Zomermaand; brothers, Bert, Rich, Henry, and John Zomermaand; sisters, Mini Van Beek, Lucy Vande Wege and Jennie Droog.

A memorial service was at 11 a.m. today (Monday) at the Calvin Christian Reformed Church of Le Mars, with the Rev. Dale Fopma officiating. Interment was held prior to the memorial service in Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center. A family prayer service held at 9:30 a.m. Monday at the Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center.

Visitation was 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday, with the family present from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center.

The Zomermaand family prefers memorials to CHEARS Home Health & Hospice or Orange City Christian School Special Education Fund.