John Heerema, Sr.

John Heerema, Sr.was born on May 25, 1922 to Jacob and Affiena Menninga Heerema in Paddepoel, Groneningen, Netherlands. He grew up in the Netherlands and went to an Agricultural Vocational School in the Netherlands. John came to the United States in 1948 and settled in Clarks Grove. He was united in marriage to Ann Rietsema on December 17, 1948 in Clarks Grove. In 1958 the couple moved to their farm in rural Blooming Prairie where they lived until retiring in 1999. John and Ann moved to Hollandale where they lived for the last several years. John was a member of the Hollandale Christian Reformed Church. He loved farming, reading, and fishing. Survivors include his wife, Ann of Hollandale; children, Alida Larry Fish of Michigan, Evelyn Arlie Olsen of Blooming Prairie, Sharon Mike Marreel of Owatonna, John Barb Heerema of Owatonna; grandchildren, Melissa John Kellerman, Ryan Fish, Zachary Fish, Ann Marie Olsen, Chris Cara Olsen, Paul Ashley Olsen, Matthew Jasey Olsen, Alysha and Ashley Heerema; great-grandchildren, Jordan Kellerman, Drew Kellerman and Christian Olsen; sisters, Ettie Vrieling of the Netherlands, and Hilda Eisses of Washington; brother, Albertus Heerema of the Netherlands; many nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his parents, Jacob and Affiena; sisters, Eika Heerema and Menke VanWieren; and brother, Kees Corneles Heerema. Memorials are preferred to the Hollandale Christian School. John always felt his greatest heritage was that all four of his children loved the Lord and loved each other.