Jake Gortsema, 92, died at the Idaho County Nursing Home April
21, 1976 where he had been a patient for seven weeks.
Gortsema was born in Wirden, Holland, June 23, 1883 to Mr. and Mrs.. John
Gortsema. He came to the United States in 1910 locating in Grand Rapids,
Michigan. He moved to Southern Idaho and homesteaded and in 1918 moved to
Greencreek, Idaho.
Gortsema married Minnie DeJonge in Grand Rapids, Mich., Feb. 16, 1921.
They lived and farmed at Greencreek until 1925 when they moved to the Tolo lake
area near Grangeville and farmed until he retired in 1947.
They moved to Grangeville in 1947 and he has lived here since. His
wife, Minnie, died in 1960. He was a member of the Christian Reform Church
of Grangeville.
Survivors include three sons, all of Grangeville, John Marion, and Bill; two
daughters, Mrs. Kobie Pils and Janette Sonnenburg, both of Grangeville; fifteen
grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. One son, Carl, preceded him
in death in 1975.
Funeral services were held Saturday, April 24, 1976 at the Hansen-Noland
funeral Home in Grangeville. Burial followed at the Prairie View
Cemetery. The Rev. Ron Kearns officiated. Those who wish may make
contributions to the charity of their choice. |