Gerdena Stursma

Gerdena Faye Stursma was born January 21, 1937, to Will D. and Nellie (Bruxvoort) Van Wyk in Jasper County, Iowa.  She passed away December 16, 2017, at the Comfort House in Pella.

Gerdena completed the eighth grade in Sully.  On June 12, 1956, she was united in marriage with Charles Stursma at the Sully Christian Reformed Church.  To this union three daughters were born:  Sandy, Deb and Pam.  Following their marriage, Gerdena helped Chuck on their farm northwest of Pella for forty-three years. 

She was a member of the Calvary Christian Reformed Church in Pella and was active in the Mission Circle, Coffee Break and Crossroads Prison Ministry.  Some of Gardena’s favorite times were spent with family; whether it was a fishing vacations, playing cards, or just spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She also loved gardening, especially tending to her flowers.  Gerdena always had a way of making everything you did fun.

Gerdena is survived by her three daughters and their husbands: Sandy and Bruce Vos of Pella, Deb and Richard Vande Voort of Leighton, and Pam Van Gorp of Pella; seven grandchildren, Brian and Melinda Vos, Emily J. Vos, Nathan, Cole and Danielle Vande Voort, and Tylor and Paige Van Gorp; three great grandchildren: Ellie, Judah and Callista; her sisters and brothers-in-law, Carolyn Van Wyk, Arvena Van Wyk, Marilyn Vos  all of Pella; one sister-in-law and her husband, Carol and Ed Keuning of Pella; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Chuck Stursma, her parents, Will and Nellie Van Wyk; her parents-in-law: Pete and Jean Stursma; brothers: Armour, Delmer, Wallace, Dennis, Elvin and Norman Van Wyk; and sisters: Joyce Van Wyk and Patricia Van Wyk; and Anna Mae and Herman Van Mersbergen.

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