GERRIT "GARY" MILTON HULSTEIN, age 81, of Leota, died Friday, July 26, 2013, at the Edgerton Care Center in Edgerton. He was born May 16, 1932, in Sioux Center, IA, to Raymond and Della (Gritters) Hulstein. Gary attended country school near Sioux Center, IA; and later, the Sioux Center Christian School. The family lived in various places including Carmel, IA, and a farm north of Edgerton.
Gary married LaVonne Mouw on January 15, 1952, at the Ebenezer Christian Reformed Church in Leota. After their marriage, the couple farmed north of Leota. In 1965, they moved to their current farm near Leota. Gary was a farmer; he also drove truck with his son, Myron.
He was a member of the Ebenezer Christian Reformed Church in Leota, where he served as both a Deacon and Elder; on the Southwest Christian School Board; and he volunteered for many other organizations. He also served on the Leota Fourth of July Celebration Board where he led the parade for over thirty five years with his horses.
Gary is survived by his wife, LaVonne Hulstein, Leota; four children, Lora (Randy) Pankonen, Little Falls, MN; Myron (Mavis) Hulstein, Leota; Marvella (Jerry) Sandness, Chandler; and Dana (Dan) Gunnink, Chandler; eight grandchildren, Kristi (Joel) DeBoer, Kirk (Ashley) Hulstein, Kayla Wegener, Justin, Amanda & Kaitlyn Gunnink, and Sean & Steven Sandness; seven great grandchildren; five brothers, Ed (Arlene) Hulstein, Edgerton; Raymond (Teen) Hulstein, Edgerton; Leonard (Jean) Hulstein, Chandler; Delmer (Faye) Hulstein, Edgerton; and LeRoy (Faye) Hulstein, Woodstock; and six sisters, Berdie Broek, Sioux Center, IA; Marge Mesman, Edgerton; Garneth (Harold) Van Surksem, Luverne; Sharon (Pete) Stuiksma, Bellflower, CA; Iva (Jim) Hoogeveen, Brandon, SD; and Karen (Leland) Blom, Pipestone. Gary will also be fondly remembered by many of his hired help from years past.
He was preceded in death by his sixteen month old son, Jerry Dale Hulstein, in 1954; his parents; and his sister, Loie Buyert.
Visitation will be from 5-8 pm Monday at the Ebenezer Christian Reformed Church in Leota; and also one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. Funeral will be 10:30 am Tuesday at the Christian Reformed Church in Leota. Burial will be in the Leota Community Cemetery.
The Leota Burial Association and Dingmann Funeral Home, in Adrian, are in charge of arrangements.
To view an online obituary please visit www.dingmannandsons.com

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