George Sietsema Jr.

George Sietsema Jr., 96, Wellsburg, Iowa passed away on Tuesday, January 23, 2018. The funeral service for George will be held on Friday, January 26, 2018 at 10:30 AM at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Wellsburg with Pastor Bruce Zimmermann officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 25th from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Doyen-Abels Funeral Chapel in Wellsburg. The burial will take place following the funeral service and lunch on Friday at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Parkersburg at 1:00 PM. Memorials may be directed to the Wellsburg Ambulance Service, P.O. Box L, Wellsburg, Iowa 50680 or directed to the family. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.abelsfuneralhomes.com

George was born in rural Grundy County on March 5, 1921. He was the son of the late George J. & Gertie (Haan) Sietsema. He was baptized at the Pleasant Valley Reformed Church in 1922. He attended Pleasant Valley #9 school and graduated from Wellsburg High School in 1938. He then went on to work for Okones Implement in Wellsburg, Iowa.

On December 19, 1942, George married Frances Akkerman at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Parkersburg, Iowa. He was inducted into the United States Army on December 21, 1942. George was a US Army Veteran of World War II, serving from 1942 to 1945 in the European Theater of Operations with the 853rd Ordnance Company as chief parts clerk. He attained the rank of Sergeant and was awarded several medals during his service to his country. George received his honorable discharge in November of 1945.

In 1946, George and Frances moved to Wellsburg and George returned to work at Okones Implement. He worked there until 1972 when the business closed. He then began working at Snittjer Grain Company. He retired in 1986 and operated an antique clock repair business.

In 1948, he took instruction and was confirmed at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Parkersburg, Iowa. He and his family transferred their membership to St. John Lutheran Church in Wellsburg, Iowa in 1958. At St. John, George served as chairman, elder, trustee and 21 years as the church secretary. He was also active in Men’s Club and the church choir. George and Frances served for many years as Lutheran Brotherhood Communicators. George also served for six years on the Wellsburg Community School Board and was a member of the American Legion Post #213. He enjoyed fishing, trapping, hunting, and his lawn and garden.

Survivors include his daughter Jean Sietsema and one sister-in-law Dorothy Akkerman of Reinbeck, IA. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Frances; 3 sisters Jennie (Mrs. Arend Fisher), Matilda (Mrs. Neil Okones), Esther (Mrs. Edward Mennenga) and 4 brothers, John, Edward, Herman and Harvey.