Gerald N. 'Jerry' Wegter, 91, Hartley

A memorial service for Gerald N. “Jerry” Wegter will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, at the Archer Reformed Church in Archer. Visitation will precede the service from 1-2 p.m. at the church. Interment will be in Roseland Cemetery at Sanborn. Sanborn Funeral Home is assisting with the arrangements.

Gerald Nelson “Jerry” Wegter was born to Gerrit and Nellie (Langstraat) Wegter on a farm near Hull on Jan. 24, 1929. He was baptized at the First Reformed Church in Boyden and attended country school in the Boyden area.

In June 1950, Gerald married Rose Ann DeBoom at the Archer Reformed Church in Archer. The couple had three children: Merlynn, Marvin and Geraldine.

Gerald was a long-time resident of Archer and the surrounding area. He had worked as a farmhand near Archer and in Sioux County. He also worked at the Archer Cooperative Elevator for more than 20 years, but he was perhaps best known for the Wegter Repair blacksmith shop which he owned and operated. He also served on the Archer volunteer fire department including more than 20 years as chief, and served multiple terms on the Archer town council. He was a member of the Archer Reformed Church.

When his workload and time would allow, Gerald enjoyed woodworking. He built three boats, kitchen cabinets for their home, and made new stocks for several of the guns that he repaired. He enjoyed doing things with his family including camping, boating, fishing and stock car racing.

Gerald passed away at the Community Memorial Health Center in Hartley on Thursday, May 7, 2020, at the age of 91 years, three months and eight days. He is survived by his wife, Rose Ann; son, Merlynn (Cindy); daughter-in-law, Denise (Marvin); daughter, Geraldine; five grandchildren: Jason (Holly), Brianne, Sarah (Christopher), Michael and Heather; four great-grandchildren: Miles, Ember, Henry and Eira; brothers and sisters-in-law: Phyllis DeBoom, Marlene Zevenbergen, Gary DeBoom and Ron (Jenny) DeBoom; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Gerrit and Nellie Wegter; his brothers and sisters: Egbert (Marie) Wegter, Johanna (Vernon) Ver Steeg, Pete (Marie) Wegter, Wilber (Hazel) Wegter, Fanny Wegter and Esther (Lloyd) Vant Hul; brothers and sisters-in law: Darrell DeBoom, Don and Maureen Miller, John Zevenbergen and Jean DeBoom; and his son, Marvin Wegter.