Gerrit Ravenhorst

Funeral services for Gerrit Ravenhorst, age 86, of Hollandale, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, February 14, 2014 at the Hollandale Reformed Church.  Rev. Neal Ooms will officiate.  Interment will be at the Hollandale Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Thursday, February 13, 2014 at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church.  

Gerrit died Tuesday, February 11, 2014 at his home.  

Gerrit Ravenhorst was born on December 29, 1927 to Arent and Sietsche (Molenaar) Ravenhorst in Hollandale.  Gerrit grew up in Hollandale where he attended school.  On August 17, 1948 Gerrit was united in marriage to Evelyn Draayer.  Gerrit spent his life working on the farm.  He was a member of the Sugar Beet Association, Hollandale Cemetery Association, Geneva Township Board and the Hollandale Marketing Association.  Gerrit was a lifetime member of the Hollandale Reformed Church where he served as an elder and deacon and also had been a Sunday school teacher.  He enjoyed bowling, hunting for arrowheads, reading, doing puzzles, playing Scrabble, hunting and fishing.  Gerrit also enjoyed traveling, especially vacationing “Up North”, in Grand Marais and visiting Branson.  Most of all, Gerrit loved his time spent with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  

Survivors include his son, Allan (Pauline) Ravenhorst; daughters, Karen (Dave) Vanderploeg, Paula (John) Heijerman, Paulette (Paul) Heijerman; grandchildren, Michael (Betsy) Ravenhorst, Jeffrey (Stacie) Ravenhorst, Daniel (Holly) Ravenhorst, Amy (Adam) Wacholz, Julie (Patrick) Krommendyk, Ryan (Janelle) Vanderploeg, Jenny (Dustin) Veldkamp, Brian Heijerman, Greg Heijerman (Amber Burkart), Sarah Heijerman, Heather (Aaron) Brack, David (Heather) Heijerman Robert Heijerman; 23 great grandchildren; sister, Alice DeBoer; sisters-in-law, Doris Draayer, Marvel Beiser, Shirley Anderson, Bev (Wayne) Diercks, Darlene Casterton and Betty (Leonard) Boysen; brother-in-law Wilbur (Pat) Draayer; many nieces, nephews, cousins and one unborn great grandchild.

Gerrit was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Evelyn; granddaughter, Michelle Heijerman; brother Arent (AJ) Ravenhorst; sister, Gert Peak; brothers-in-law, Doug Peak and Harko DeBoer; and sister-in-law Luella Ravenhorst.  

Memorials are preferred to the Hollandale Christian School or the Hollandale Cemetery Association.