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SHELDON—Henry Junior Gesink, age 83, of Sheldon, Iowa, passed away on Monday, May 29, 2023, at the Happy Siesta Health Care System in Remsen, Iowa.
His Memorial Service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 3, at the First Christian Reformed Church in Sheldon, Iowa, with the Rev. John Vermeer and Pastor Brian Dunn officiating.
Visitation will be 9:3-11 a.m. Saturday, June 3, at the First Christian Reformed Church in Sheldon, Iowa.
For those unable to attend the service on Saturday, the family will be having a family gathering for friends and family 3-7 p.m. Friday, June 2, at Dell and Joy Faber’s home at 2929 Buchanan Ave., west of Rock Valley, Iowa.
The Andringa Funeral Home in Sheldon, Iowa, is assisting the family with the arrangements.
To view the Livestream of the service, go to the church’s website:
https://www.youtube.com/@firstchristianreformedshel6538/streams
Memorials may be directed to Sheldon Christian School and Western Christian High School.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.eldridgefamilyfuneralhomes.com.
Henry Junior Gesink, 83, son of Bert and Fannie (Colsman) Gesink, was born on April 25, 1940. He grew up on the family farm between Hospers and Sheldon, Iowa, and attended Hospers Christian Grade School, Western Christian High School in Hull and Dordt University in Sioux Center.
Junior met Elinor Anne Vander Veen from Ripon, CA, while at Dordt. They married on Aug. 5, 1960, at the Hospers Christian Reformed Church. Junior and Elinor made their home on the family farm where they began raising their three children — Joni, Joy and Kevin. They moved to Sheldon in 1972, as Junior felt the Lord’s call to begin a career in insurance. He thoroughly enjoyed serving his clients for over 50 years!
Junior is lovingly remembered by his wife of 63 years, Elinor, their three children, nine grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren (soon to be 23!) Brad and Joni Lindbergh and their family: Kyle (Kara) Lindbergh — Skylar, Mason and Miles, Kent (Aubrey) Lindbergh — Elliot, Sophia and Luke, Julia (Mark) Bakker, Dell and Joy Faber and their family: Jordan (Haeley) Faber — Avery, Levi and Beau, Jacob (Rachelle) Faber — Morgan, Emmalynn and Kasen, Kevin and Shelley Gesink and their family: Joel (Jessica) Gesink — Tyson, Luka and Cooper, Kayla (Theo) Bartman — Ellie, Brooklyn, Stella and Lux, Jamie (Zach) De Jager — Olivia, Ben (Bailey) Gesink; siblings: Connie Sterenberg; many nieces and nephews and a host of wonderful friends.
Junior was preceded in death by parents, Bert and Fannie; sisters and brothers-in-law, Lois and Ade Tinklenberg, Edith Gesink, Barbara and Arnold Boeve, Paul Sterenberg; great-grandson Grayson Faber; and several wonderful friends.
There were so many things Junior was passionate about. Where do we even begin? But here are a few of his favorites.
- His Lord, family, vocation and many activities.
- Christian Education — as a supporter and Board Member.
- His church and service as a Deacon and Elder.
- Being an active member of his community.
- Basketball, including refereeing, and many other sporting events, especially if it involved his children and grandchildren, Western, Dordt and other local schools.
- Flying airplanes.
- Boating and water skiing . . . and teaching many youth how to ski.
- Bicycling in RAGBRAI, Colorado, Oregon, etc.
- Riding his Goldwing motorcycle and seeing God’s great creation with his wife and biker friends.
- Woodworking and building many barns and doll houses for friends and charities.
- Music — listening to Gospel music, the Statler Brothers and playing the trumpet. He loved to sing.
- Helping his friends and neighbors with yard work.
- Pizza, ice cream and a cold beer.
