Gilbert "Gib" Postma

Biography

Rock Rapids, IA: Gilbert “Gib” Postma, 86, of Rock Rapids, Iowa, formerly of Doon, Iowa, died Monday, July 30, 2018 at Sanford Rock Rapids Medical Center. Funeral services will be held Friday, August 3 at 10:30 AM at the First Reformed Church in Doon with Rev. Rob Horstman officiating. Burial will follow at Hillside Cemetery west of Doon. Visitation with the family present will be held Thursday, August 2 from 5:30-7:00 PM at Porter Funeral Home in Rock Valley. Memorials may be given to the First Reformed Church in Doon.

Gilbert Postma, son of Marc and Coba (Van Batavia) Postma, was born May 25, 1932 at the family farm west of Doon, Iowa. Gib grew up attending country school west of Doon through the 8th grade. Gib was united in marriage with Marie DeBruin on October 13, 1949. Together the couple made their home in Doon until moving to Rock Rapids in 2016. Gib moved to the Rock Rapids Health Center in October 2017. Gib and Marie were blessed with 8 children; Rod, Don, Janice, Doug, Glenn, Dwayne, Bud, and Mike.

Gib helped his dad on the farm until he started farming on his own in 1949. He farmed from 1949-1970. He then worked at Sioux-Preme Packing Company in Sioux Center, Iowa for 27 years. He went on to work at the Sioux Center Sale Barn for 10 years. He also hauled fertilizer for the Cooperative Farmers Elevator in Doon and was a part-time groundskeeper at the Lyon County Fairgrounds.

He enjoyed watching his sons play fastpitch softball. He loved riding horse with family and his grandchildren especially loved going on wagon trains with his team of horses and a covered wagon. Gib was a member of the First Reformed Church in Doon.

Gib is survived by 7 children, Rod (Joella) Postma of Doon, Janice Den Besten of Rock Rapids, Doug (LaVonne) Postma of Rock Valley, Glenn (Rhonda) Postma of Doon, Dwayne (Sharon) Postma of Rock Rapids, Bud (Kelly) Postma of Madison, South Dakota, and Mike Postma of Huron, South Dakota; daughter-in-law, Lorna Postma of Hull; 22 grandchildren; 46 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; sister, Marlys DeBruin of Rock Rapids; brother, Kenny (Harriet) Postma of Doon; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Marc and Coba; wife, Marie; son Donald Postma; and brother-in-law, Garrit DeBruin.