James "Jim" Vander Sluis

Rock Valley, IA: By God's amazing grace, Jim was given a place in heaven on Thurs., May 11, 2017. He died of apparent heart failure at his earthly home in Rock Valley, IA. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 16 at 10:30 AM at the First Reformed Church of Rock Valley with Rev. Verlyn Boone officiating. Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery of Rock Valley. Visitation, with the family present, will be Monday, May 15 from 5:30-7:30 PM at First Reformed Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Hope Haven or First Reformed Church Youth Ministries.

James Henry was born May 1, 1934 near Inwood, IA to Louis and Gertrude (Vermeer) Vander Sluis. Jim grew up as a farm hand's son and attended various country schools before graduating from the Canton, SD High School in 1952, while living with his parents near Fairview, S.D. When he was in the 6th grade, he obtained a job driving a tractor in front of a Case hand tied baler for some bachelor brothers who did custom baling. After high school, he worked as a mechanic in a John Deere shop in Inwood. Jim served his country in the U.S. Army from June, '56 to June, '58. He spent one year in Korea in the Transportation Division near Seoul and drove for a bird colonel.

On July 23, 1958, Jim married Freida Pollema at Inwood. They settled in Rock Valley, IA and have lived there 58 ½ years. Jim lovingly supported and cared for his family while working at Roorda Machine Shop for 9 years and then B & H Feed Service for 30 years. In “retirement” he drove truck for various companies. He loved being behind a “wheel”!

Other than the gift of his salvation, Jim's family was his great delight. He served his Lord in the church as deacon and elder, youth sponsor and in other organizations. The couple was blessed by the birth of two daughters, Dorinda and Darla, but also served as foster parents to 5 different boys over a nine-year period.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Freida; two daughters, Dorinda (Scott) Sorvig of Thief River Falls, MN and Darla Olson of Grandville, MI; 5 grandsons: Luke Sorvig, Joshua Sorvig, Matthew Sorvig, Isaac Olson and Nathan Olson and 1 granddaughter: Leah Sorvig; a brother, Dennis (Karen) Vander Sluis of LeMars, IA and a sister-in-law, Caroline (Bud) Vander Sluis Vander Schaaf of Seal Beach, CA, along with Freida's siblings and many nieces and nephews.

In heaven, Jim joins his parents, a brother, John Vander Sluis, a sister, Nelva Ver Mulm Ribbens and Nelva's husbands, Harold Ver Mulm and Ted Ribbens, as well as Freida's parents, Peter and Gertrude (Te Slaa) Pollema, and brother-in-law, Henry Pollema.

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