Obituary of Rodney Heemstra

Rodney Heemstra, of Sheldon, Iowa and formerly of Arnolds Park and Boyden, Iowa died January 11, 2017 at Sanford Medical Center in Sheldon, Iowa. Services will be held Saturday, January 14, 2107 at the First Reformed Church in Sheldon at 11:00 AM with Rev. Paul Van Maaren officiating. Burial will be at the East Lawn Cemetery prior to the services with the family present under the direction of Turner Jenness Funeral Home. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service at the church. Rodney L. Heemstra, the son of Harry and Gertie (Van Nyhuis) Heemstra, was born February 20, 1933 near Hospers, Iowa. He attended country school and later graduated from the Sheldon High School. He worked for the DOT before enlisting in the Army for two years. Before and upon returning, he served in the National Guard for eleven years. He also attended NCC for two years. On June 18, 1955, he and Beverly Anderson were united in marriage at Augustana Lutheran Church in Clarkfield, Minnesota and they lived in Olympia, Washington for one year. He was later employed by the United States Postal Services for thirty-four years, the last fifteen as Postmaster at Boyden, Iowa. He served in many positions as Elder, Deacon, Boyden City Council, Kiwanis President, Legion and various city committees. Upon retiring, he and Bev moved to Arnolds Park, Iowa and was a big part in starting Good News Community Church. He enjoyed working summers at the Arnolds Park Amusement Park running the Ferris Wheel. Rod enjoyed meeting and visiting with people and his family was the love of his life. He and Bev enjoyed many winters in Arizona and loved going to sporting events. Survivors include his wife, Bev; two sons, David and Cheryl Heemstra of Severna Park, Maryland and Kevin and Twila Heemstra of Ocheyedan, Iowa; two daughters, Julie and Bill Langfitt of Sheldon, Iowa and Amy and Jay Grooters of Costa Rica; grandchildren, Ben and Austin Heemstra, Drew Heemstra, Sarah (John) Michels, Bryan and Kelli Langfitt, Jaci and Kylie Grooters; two great-grandchildren, Bella and Margot Michels; one sister, Janice (Jim) Moore of Colorado Springs, Colorado; several sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Joyce (Jerry) Warner. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.