Gary Maynard De Graaf was born on February 14, 1930, to Gerrit and Wilhiminia (Vander Wilt) De Graaf. He was the fifth of eight children. As a young boy, he soon realized he had physical limitations that other children did not have. He was unable to roller skate or ride a bike. When other boys at school skied down the hill on their boots, Gary had to sit on a board to slide down the hill. These limitations would affect him all of his life. Later in life, swallowing and walking would become increasingly difficult for him. Gary had to learn to compensate for his limitations and find other ways to achieve his goals.

In spite of this, he became a farmer and was able to milk cows, raise pigs, and plant and harvest crops. While his children were growing up, he raised many other animals and birds, often simply for the experience it provided for his children and grandchildren.

Gary was married to Beulah De Groot on February 15, 1957, at Oskaloosa, Iowa. To this union four children were born: Donna Rae, Linda Jean, Steven John, and Keith Wayne. Gary was a man of few words with a kind and gentle spirit. His love of God and family were evident to all. If the church doors were open for worship, Gary usually managed to get his family there. He also served as an elder for the Prairie City Christian Reformed Church and on the board at Pella Christian High, where his children attended. In spite of the dairy and many farm chores, he and Beulah attended many choir and band concerts, as well as basketball games that their children were involved in.
In 1995, Gary retired from farming and moved to Pella. He worked for Vander Ploeg Bakery driving a food vendor truck to various businesses around town. The grandchildren thought it was a great treat for Grandpa to give them a bag of chips or a snack off the truck. While living in Pella, they attended the Calvary Christian Reformed Church.

In October, 2016, Gary and Beulah entered the Crystal Heights Care Center in Oskaloosa. Soon after Christmas, plans were begun to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary. However, those plans were not meant to be. On the day of their anniversary, Gary entered the Pella Regional Health Center with a diagnosis of pneumonia. He was lovingly told by his daughter, Linda, that his physical limitations would require that he not drink or eat by mouth for the remainder of his life. He bravely fought the infection that ravaged his lungs and after a week told his family that he was ready to give up the fight. He entered the Comfort House and Saturday, February 25, as he was surrounded by his family, many stories were told by his children and grandchildren, of living on the farm and in Pella. God had given him clarity of mind and he was able to call his family by their names and speak with them. He has some final advice for his family, "Just remember, Jesus Christ is our Savior and Lord." Shortly after that, with his wife still holding his hand, he entered into the presence of his Lord.

He is survived by his wife, Beulah, and his four children and their families. He is also survived by his siblings Arietta De Graaf, Marvin (Marlene) De Graaf, Wilma (Clarence) Meinders and sister-in-law Johanna Van Der Wiel, as well as many other in-laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents and parents-in-law, George and Bertha De Groot. He was also preceded in death by his siblings Nellie (Gerald) Van Der Wiel, Genivieve De Graaf, Henrietta De Groot and William De Graaf.

Gary's Children and their families:

Donna and Bill Vande Weerdhof, Rose Hill
Jaynee and Derek

Linda and Ron Schuring, Pella
Mary and Jon Landon
Ethan, Nora, Elsie and Mason
Chris and Kayla Smith
Matt and Tara Schuring
Kaeley, Kaeleb, Kaelyn, Kaenan
Nicole and Chris Kapler
Hudson Lorensen, Kenedi, Brooklyn and Boden Kapler

Steve and Janice De Graaf, Pella
Lisa and the late Eric Shacklett
Austin and Collin Hawkins
Teri Trunnel
Brooke Trunnel
Sage
Tristan Trunnel
Kari and Mike Walker
Mike Jr., ViJay, Cierra
Sara and Mark Richards
Parker, Jaxon, Aubrie
Logan De Graaf

Keith and Jean De Graaf, Pella
Jordan De Graaf
Carlee and Ryan Flack
Quinn
Raquel De Graaf

Visitation

3:00 P.M., Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Family will be present 5:00 to 7:00 P.M.
Garden Chapel Funeral Home
Pella, Iowa

Funeral Services

1:30 P.M., Wednesday, March 1, 2017
Calvary Christian Reformed Church
Pella, Iowa

Memorials

Pella Christian Grade School
Oskaloosa Christian Grade School

Family

Wife: Beulah De Graaf, Pella
Children: Donna and Bill Vande Weerdhof, Rose Hill
Linda and Ron Schuring, Pella
Steve and Janice De Graaf, Pella
Keith and Jean De Graaf, Pella