Gerrit Vlastuin, 78, Luverne, died Thursday, Aug. 8, 2002, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D.
Services were Monday, Aug. 12, at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne. The Rev. Andrew Beerman officiated. Burial was in St. Catherine Catholic Cemetery, Luverne.
Gerrit Vlastuin was born to John and Elizabeth (Grootheest) Vlastuin June 20, 1924, in Doon, Iowa. He attended Doon School and farmed until entering the U.S. Army in 1945. He served in the Pacific War Zone in the Philippines and Japan and received an honorable discharge in 1947.
He married Ramona Simons on April 10, 1950, in Larchwood, Iowa. They farmed in the Doon - Alvord, Iowa, area until 1965 when they moved to a farm by Beaver Creek. They retired in 1988 and moved to Luverne.
Mr. Vlastuin was a member of St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne. He served on the Beaver Creek Elevator Board for several years and was a lifetime member of the VFW and American Legion. He enjoyed woodworking, crafts and playing cards.
Survivors include his wife Ramona Vlastuin, Luverne; one son, Leland (Lynette) Vlastuin, Harrisburg, S.D.; two daughters, Linda (Chuck) Wattier, Eagle River, Alaska, and Lorae (Gene) Lodes, Crooks, S.D.; six grandchildren, Ashley and Chris Lodes, Jordan, Jared, Melissa and Madysen Vlastuin; two brothers, Fred (Ann) Vlastuin, Rock Valley Iowa, and Elmer (Cornelia) Vlastuin Jenison, Mich.; three sisters, Henrietta DeBruin and Till (John) Blom, all of Rock Valley, Iowa, and Jeanette (John) Van Surksum, Doon; and one sister-in-law, Emma Vlastuin, Worthington.
Mr. Vlastuin was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Henry.
Dingmann Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.