William Robert Monsma was born on a farm near Prairie City, Iowa, on October 11, 1925, to John and Johanna (Branderhorst) Monsma, the first of their four children. Robert, affectionately known as Bob, graduated from Prairie City High School and enlisted in the United States Army when he was 18. He went to basic training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, completed Officer Training, and served as a lieutenant in the armed forces. He was stationed in Germany for occupational duty after World War II ended. He married Angeline Dorothy Witzenburg on August 2, 1945, while on leave during his service. They were married at the First Christian Reformed Church of Pella and were blessed with five children: Sandra, Marla, Rhonda, David and Paul.

Robert attended Central College for two years and studied accounting. Afterward, he went into the rock quarry business with his brother-in-law Arnold Van Zee, the Pella Limestone Company. He often surprised his children by bringing home all kinds of critters from the quarry including bull snakes, snapping turtles and baby skunks. After Pella Limestone, he worked at Vermeer Manufacturing as a salesman and then in 1981, he began farming. Of all his occupations, farming was his favorite. His love for the Lord was evident, and he sought opportunities to share the gospel. Robert served numerous terms as an elder at First Christian Reformed Church, and he also taught catechism. He was a Gideon for many years, and he volunteered for Crossroads, writing and correcting Bible lessons for inmates. Robert always loved the hymns of the faith, and during his time at The Cottages he became the unofficial choir director for the evening hymn sings. Two of his favorite hymns were "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" and "Jesus Calls Us O'er the Tumult," both of which he enjoyed playing on the piano in his younger days.

Robert went to be with his Lord and Savior on April 14, 2017. He was 91 years and 6 months old. Robert was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather. He took joy in being reminded how many grandchildren he had, and that joy spilled over into playful games and ready smiles with his great-grandchildren. Twenty-one grandchildren, thirty-eight great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild remain to cherish his memory, along with his children and their spouses, and several nieces and nephews and their spouses.

Sandra (deceased March 1, 2002) and her husband Stuart (Sherry) Van Kooten of Littleton, Colorado
Stephanie and her husband Jeffrey Lenderink
John Lenderink and his wife Lindsay (Landhuis)
Naomi
Thomas Lenderink and his wife Taylor (Powell)
Cassandra Lenderink
Ian Van Kooten and his wife Cherie (Miller)
Marshall
Isaac Van Kooten
Sara Banks
Elijah, Rae
Ingram Van Kooten and his wife Emily (Davis)
Everleigh

Marla (deceased October 17, 2016) and her husband Bruce Schiebout of Pella, Iowa
Zechariah Schiebout and his wife Rachelle (Vander Werff)
Miriam, Abigail, Keilah, Nahshon, Jude, Thaddeus
Leah and her husband Anton Heuss
Aven, Charis
Reuben Schiebout and his wife Holly (Goodyk)
Mara, Asher, Meres, Titus
Orpah and her husband Nathan Jensema
Judah, Corban, Ezra, Isaac
Michal and her husband Aaron Nunnikhoven
Micah, Lydia, Grace (deceased August 19, 2016)

Rhonda and her husband Leon Scott of Centennial, Colorado
Micah and her husband Matthew Bylsma
Hall, Jude, Marin, Ezekiel
Audra and her husband Paul DeGraff
Mason
Ezra Scott
Isaiah Scott

David Monsma and his wife Michele (Roose) of Denver, Colorado
Jessica and her husband Kyle Mallet
Erin and her husband Ethan Barnard
Kobe, Noah, Keira
Shawna and her husband Carlos Aragon
Josue, Jocelyn
Luke Monsma (deceased 3/12/16)
Jacob Monsma and his fiancAC.e Hayley Dahl

Paul Monsma and his wife Debra (Roose) of Pella, Iowa
Kirsten and her husband Andrew Borger
Ethan
Karlie and her husband Andy Van Soelen
Jasper

Robert is also survived by his siblings Robert and Margery (Monsma) Stuit of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Marvin and Elaine Monsma of Grandville, Michigan, and Dr. Kenneth and Dorothy Monsma of Pella, Iowa.

Robert was preceded in death by his wife Angeline Dorothy, parents John and Johanna Monsma, parents-in-law Teunis and Magdalena Witzenburg, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Margery and Arnold Van Zee, daughters Sandra Van Kooten and Marla Schiebout, grandson William Luke Monsma and great granddaughter Grace Nunnikhoven.

Visitation

Noon, Monday, April 17, 2017
With family present 4:00 to 7:00 P.M.,
Garden Chapel Funeral Home
Pella, Iowa

FUNERAL SERVICE

10:30 A.M., Tuesday, April 18, 2017
Covenant Reformed Church

In Lieu Of Flowers Memorials may Be Given To

Gideons International
Pella Christian Schools

Family

Wife: The late Dorothy Monsma

Children:
The late Sandra and Stuart Van Kooten, Littleton, Colorado
The late Marla and Bruce Schiebout, Pella
Rhonda and Leon Scott, Centennial, Colorado
David and Michele Monsma, Denver, Colorado
Paul and Debra Monsma, Pella