Thelmar Jansma

Dell Rapids, SD: Thelmar F. Jansma, 82, of Dell Rapids, South Dakota, died Monday, May 22, 2023, at his home near Dell Rapids. A funeral service will be held Saturday, May 27, at 10:00 AM at Porter Funeral Home of Rock Valley, Iowa with Rev. Allen Brummel of Calvary Protestant Reformed Church of Hull, Iowa officiating. Burial will follow at Hope Cemetery of Hull. Visitation, with the family present, will be held Friday, May 26, from 6:00-7:30 PM at Porter Funeral Home of Rock Valley.

   Thelmar Frederick Jansma was born in Rock Rapids, Iowa, on October 31, 1940, to parents Peter and Anna (Vander Kooi) Jansma. He died Monday May 22, 2023, at home after a lengthy illness. Thelmar was raised in Hull, Iowa and graduated from Hull Western Christian. He was a businessman and farmer with a love of over the road trucking. He retired from trucking at the age of 76. Thelmar married Martha Van Kekerix on February 21, 1969, in Sheldon, Iowa. They ran laundromats until they began farming in 1981. Martha died April 30, 1994.

   Thelmar is survived by  his son, Tom Jansma of Dell Rapids, South Dakota, daughter, Patty (Ed) Durand of Van Meter, Iowa, and daughter, Sandy Staskywicz (John Potrament) of Dell Rapids, South Dakota; 5 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren, Luke Durand and his son Oliver and daughter Harper, Maleah Durand, Cody Staskywicz, Cole Staskywicz, and Chloe Staskywicz; brother, Andrew (Cindy) Jansma of Freeman, South Dakota; sister-in-law, Sue Van Kekerix of Sheldon, Iowa; and numerous nieces and nephews.

   Thelmar was proceeded in death by his parents; wife; sister, Jeanene Jansma; brother, Wilmar Jansma; son-in-law, Paul Staskywicz; and brothers-in- laws, Raymond (Alice), Elmer (Helen), Howard and Weldon (Mildred) Van Kekerix.