Nicholas A. Gerritson, 37, Orange City

A Celebration of Life for Nicholas A. Gerritson was held Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023, at the New Hope Evangelical Free Church in Orange City, with Pastor Nick Koenig officiating. The Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City assisted with the arrangements.

Nicholas Arthur Gerritson was welcomed into the world by his parents, Bryan and Beverly, and sister, Rebecca, on Aug. 24, 1985. Nick’s childhood was spent in Hartley. He loved going on family camping trips, boating, skiing, knee boarding and wakeboarding. He could spend hours on the water perfecting a new move he wanted to learn. His high school years were filled with football, track, band and choir. He always had a song in his heart, and helped form a praise and worship band at his church where he played the bass guitar.

He graduated from Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn High School in 2004. Following high school he moved to Sioux Falls, S.D. to attend Southeast Technical College, where he earned a degree in landscaping and horticulture. He worked for several landscaping companies in the area until enlisting in the Army National Guard. After completing his military service, he returned to Sioux Falls where he met the love of his life, Amber Lee Johnson. Nick also returned to Southeast Tech, this time for his Associate’s Degree in Civil Engineering.

Nick and Amber were married on Sept. 27, 2014 in Orange City, where they have since made their home. Nick worked at the Sioux County Engineer’s Office in Orange City and more recently at the county’s Rock Valley shop as part of their road maintenance team.

Nick did not have much “sit” in him, and you could always find out what he was up to by scrolling through his often funny Snapchats. In the winter months he was most content working on a project in his basement woodshop or making upgrades to his motorcycle. He enjoyed the annual hunting and fishing trips with the Gerritson family and the wonderful stories that were shared on these trips by the elder family members. He could often be found working on making his large backyard a welcoming place for his friends and family.

No matter what time of year it was he was always ready to ride his dark red and black Harley, often making the rounds to visit his buddies and occasionally taking weekend road trips with Amber and their friends. He was part founder of a motorcycle group called S.O.S.C. (Sons of Sioux County), where he took the lead in organizing the annual poker runs.

Nick passed away at age 37 on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, at the Orange City Area Health System as a result of an accident near Orange City.

Those who knew him the best and will miss him the most include his wife, Amber, of Orange City; five children: Emma and her husband, Tanner Hansen, of Hospers; Christopher Harper, of El Paso, Texas; and Grace Harper, Keith Gerritson and Alexa Gerritson, all of Orange City; his parents, Bryan and Bev Gerritson, of Orange City; a sister and her husband, Rebecca and Justin Sanders, of Sioux City; his wife’s parents, Michael and Cynthia Johnson, of Oakland, Neb.; a sister-in-law and her husband, Heidi and Brian Frick, of Sioux Falls, S.D.; his paternal grandmother, Wilma Gerritson, of Rock Valley; and his first grandchild, Baby Hansen, expected this coming November.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Arthur Gerritson; and his maternal grandparents, Henry and Cynthia Feekes.

Memorials will be given to the family for future designation.