Elsie Jacobsma

Rock Valley, IA: Elsie Jacobsma, 84, died Sunday, March 9, 2014 at Whispering Heights in Rock Valley. A funeral service will be at 1:30 pm Wednesday March 12, 2014 at the United Reformed Church in Doon Iowa with Rev. Simon Lievaart officiating. Burial will follow at the Hillside Cemetery in Doon. Visitation will begin at noon on Tuesday, March 11, 2014 with the family present 5:30-7:30 pm at Porter Funeral Home in Rock Valley. Condolences for the family may be left online at www.porterfuneralhomes.com.

Elsie was born March 14, 1929 on the family farm near Rock Valley, the daughter of Bert and Grace (Verdoorn) Bliek. She graduated high school and obtained her teaching certificate at Westmar College in Le Mars, IA and taught at a country school. Elsie married Peter Jacobsma at the family farm near Rock Valley on September 17, 1948. Together they farmed near Hudson, SD and then by Doon. Elsie loved being a foster grandparent for many years. During retirement, they enjoyed camping. Elsie became a resident of Whispering Heights in 2000. Peter died on August 18, 2011.

Surviving relatives include her daughters, Doris (Robert) Iwen of Boyden, IA, Gloria Jacobsma of Rock Rapids, IA and her friend Hurley Van Bemmel of Doon, Marilyn Niemeyer of Doon, and Sandi Ruter and fianc' George Martin of Bolivar, MO; sons, Rod (Beverly) Jacobsma and Jeff (Pam) Jacobsma all of Doon; brothers, Arie (Darlene) Bliek of Larchwood, IA and Herbert (Mina) Bliek of Rock Valley; sisters, Josephine De Jager of Rock Valley and Grace (Ferrell) Boyles of Hawarden, IA; grandchildren, Lance (Cindi) Iwen, Darcy (John) Valline, Erica (Chad) Robertson, Briana (Jed) Van Der Zwaag, Derick (Kim) Niemeyer, Andrea (Justin) Soodsma, John (Tracy) Ruter, Jessica (Joe) McCammon, Megan, Justin, and Ryan Jacobsma; step-grandsons, Eric (Becca) Vis, Justin (Kara) Vis, Jason Vis; and 25 great-grandchildren.

Elsie was preceded in death by her husband, Peter; sons-in-law, John Ruter and Harlan Niemeyer; parents, Bert and Grace Bliek; sisters, Henrietta Allen and Bertha Feekes; and brother-in-laws, William Allen and Vern De Jager.