Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
A memorial service for James T. Wesselink was held Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, at First Reformed Church in Sanborn. Pastor Phillip Westra officiated.
Pallbearers were Brian Lill, Bryan Markley, Lukas Fourie, Larry Genschorck, Robert Van Dyke, John Elgersma, Ron Schott and Christopher DeBoer. Honorary pallbearers were Zayden Walbaum, Kolten Fourie, Colin Fourie, Harper Walbaum, Logan Markley and Isabelle Markley. Interment was in Roseland Cemetery at Sanborn, with military graveside rites conducted by Sanborn American Legion, Earl T. Conaway Post #318. Sanborn Funeral Home assisted with the arrangements.
James Theodore Wesselink (Jim, Theo) was born July 13, 1955 in Sheldon, to John and Evelyn Wesselink. Jim grew up in Sanborn and attended Sanborn Public School, graduating in 1973. After graduation Jim enlisted in the Navy. During his enlistment he was assigned to the U.S.S. John F. Kennedy. He completed three deployments on the Mediterranean.
After six years of service Jim returned to Sanborn, where he was united in marriage to Nancy DeBoer. Jim then returned to the Navy. He was stationed in Alexandria, Va., working under the Office of Naval Intelligence. While stationed there Nancy completed nursing school. Later he was transferred to Australia as a liaison with the U.S. Air Force and Australian Navy. While there they welcomed their first child, Johnathan. Jim retired from the Navy in 1987 and returned to Sanborn, where both of their daughters were born.
Jim was employed at Union Camp in Sibley and AMPI in Sanborn. He retired in 2019. He was a member of the First Reformed Church and the Sanborn Legion Post.
He enjoyed spending time hunting, shooting and reloading ammo, fishing, golfing, riding motorcycle, coffee with friends and spending time with his family. Jim also enjoyed watching his grandchildren grow up and attending their activities.
James passed from this life on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, at the age of 65 years, three months and 18 days. He was preceded in death by his father, John Wesselink, and father-in-law, Charles DeBoer.
James is survived by his wife, Nancy (DeBoer) Wesselink, of Sanborn, and their children: Johnathan Wesselink, of Sanborn; Jaimie Fourie (Brian Lill) and children, Lukas, Kolten and Colin, of LeMars; and Nicole Wesselink (Bryan Markley) and children, Zayden, Harper, Logan and Isabelle, of Sanborn; lifelong friend, Ron (Audrey) Schott; his mother, Evelyn (Rod) Jacobsma; sisters: Kathy (Larry) Genschorck, Lisa (Robert) Van Dyke and Laura (John) Elgersma, all of Sanborn; mother-in-law, Esther DeBoer, of Sanborn; in-laws: Karen (James) Venhuizen, of McKinney, Texas; Curtis (Julie) DeBoer, of West Salem, Wis.; Paul (Stephanie) DeBoer, of Ankeny; and Linda (Travis) Schoby, of Brandon, S.D.; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
