Harold "Howie" Siemonsma

VIEW SERVICE FOLDER

Harold “Howie” Siemonsma, age 88, of Chester, died on Thursday, December 27, 2012, at his home. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 A.M. Monday, December 31, 2012, at Huntimer St. Joseph the Workman Catholic Church, rural Colton, South Dakota. Visitation will be from 2-4:00 P.M. Sunday at the Minnehaha Funeral Home, Colton, and will resume at the church with the family present at 5:30 P.M., with a Rosary at 6:30 P.M., and a Wake Service at 7:00 P.M.

Howie was born on December 2, 1924, at Rock Valley, Iowa, to Barney and Dora (Van Whye) Siemonsma. He grew up in the Rock Valley area until moving with his family to Colton during high school. He graduated from Colton High School in 1942. After high school, he worked at John Morrell and as a farm hand around Colton. On October 24, 1945, Howie married Magdalen “Matt” Gaspar at St. Joseph the Workman Catholic Church. In 1948, the couple moved to a farm near Colton where they would farm all their lives. In 1973, Howie and Matt moved to Chester, but Howie continued to help on the farm until just last year.

Howie was a dedicated member of St. Joseph the Workman Catholic Church at Huntimer. He served on the church council, sang in the choir, and assisted during the construction of the new church. He always enjoyed helping other people.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Magdalen “Matt”, Chester; children: Daniel (Sharon) Siemonsma, Chester, Dorothy (Loren) Hass, Chester, Diane (Hod) Braskamp, Wentworth, Michael (Emily) Siemonsma, Colton, and Mark (Judy) Siemonsma, Candia, New Hampshire; 12 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and siblings: James (Mary Jo) Siemonsma, Lake Madison, and Bernieth Baumberger, Round Top, New York.

Howie was preceded in death by his parents; siblings: Mary Alice Eichler, and Robert “Bob” Siemonsma; and a special nephew, Michael John.