Dave Wiertzema

DAVID ALLEN WIERTZEMA, age 67, of Adrian, formerly of Ellsworth, died Friday, January 26, 2018, at the Sanford Luverne Hospice Cottage. He was born December 28, 1950, in Adrian, to Herman and Lena (DeBoer) Wiertzema. He attended country school in Viola Township, near Little Rock, IA. Dave graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1969. He later graduated from Worthington Community College.

Dave married Jerre Block on October 2, 1971, at Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. The couple began farming east of Ellsworth. Dave then worked as the manager at Great Plains Supply Company. He also owned and operated Dave’s Lumber Barn, in Ellsworth, for over twenty years. He worked as a carpenter and in construction. He later worked at Running’s, in Worthington, and at the Tractor Supply Company before retiring in December of 2016.

He was a member of Zion Presbyterian Church in Ellsworth, where he served as a Trustee, Elder, Sunday School Teacher, Bible Study Leader and Youth Group Advisor. Dave was a member of the Ellsworth Optimist Club, a 4-H Leader and directed community theater in Worthington and Adrian. Perhaps his most proud activity was directing the Living Last Supper in Ellsworth, portraying Thomas, Andrew and Jesus. He enjoyed farming, country and western music and spending time with his children and grandchildren. He also loved to ride motorcycles since he was twelve years old.

Dave is survived by his wife, Jerre Wiertzema, Adrian; mother, Lena Wiertzema, Ellsworth; three children, Carolyn (Jason) Krapfl, Ft. Atkinson, WI; Brian (Mandy) Wiertzema, Ellsworth; and Jill (Chris) Wolf, Adrian; seven grandchildren, Olivia, Daniel and Emily Krapfl; and Quentin, Ana, Caleb and Cyrus Wolf; in-laws, Gene & Dawn Block, Lyle, MN; and Bill Johnson and families, Chula Vista, CA; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Herman in September of 2008; and in-laws, Don Block, Merlyn Block Veenhof, Bill Veenhof and Sandi Johnson.

   Visitation will be from 4-8 pm Monday with a prayer service at 7:30pm at the Dingmann Funeral Home in Adrian. A time of fellowship will be from 10 to 11 am Tuesday at Zion Presbyterian Church in Ellsworth. A memorial service will be 11 am Tuesday at Zion Presbyterian Church officiated by Pastor Paul Snyder. Burial of cremains will be at the Grand Prairie Cemetery in Ellsworth with a lunch reception to follow at church.

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