Leo Sytsma
Leo Sytsma
Tracy. Leo Dale Sytsma, 87 of Tracy, died Tuesday, July 12, 2011, at the Pella Regional Medical Center in Pella. He was born June 30, 1924 at Leighton Iowa, the son of Daniel and Lena De Hammer Sytsma. On November 26, 1947 he was united in marriage to Viola Beyer at Pella and she died June 1, 2008. In February of 1960 they bought a farm northwest of Tracy, Iowa where they farmed and raised their family. The family continues to gather at the family farm for Sunday dinner and special events. Family and farming was his life’s passion.
His family includes their children and their spouses: Virginia Puyear of Tracy; Larry and Linda Sytsma of Knoxville; Margaret and Edward Karr of Knoxville; Jim and Cindee Sytsma of Tracy; Marla and Robert Kephart of Knoxville; Leroy and Jean Sytsma of University Park; Cleo and Roger DeGroot of Oskaloosa; Judy and Steve Kingery of Knoxville; Debbie and Jerry Shaw of Knoxville; and Carol and Brian Kendall of Knoxville. Also surviving are 18 grandchildren: Wade (& Johanna), Machell, Amy, B.J., Richard (& Gwen), John (& Dawn), Scott (& Tori), Mindy, Molly, Mike (& Stacey), Matt (& Holly Anderson), Tracy, Timothy, Ben (& Ellie), Kyle, Courtney (& Tony), Cooper, and Sierra; and 5 great grandchildren: Taylor and Nathan, Brandon, Dawson, and S.J.; 5 step grandchildren: Jeff, Amy, Jenny, Grant and Garvin; and many step greatgrandchildren;
Also surviving is a brother: Kenneth (& Rose) Sytsma of Knoxville; three sisters: Marge Vander Werff of Pella, Mary Ann (& Pete) Gruber and Audrey Kennedy, all of Knoxville; his extended family: Carl Sailors and Chris Klein; and his beloved dog: Snoopy.
Besides his wife, Leo was preceded in death by his parents, son in law: Clark Puyear; a grandson: Jeffrey Sytsma.
Funeral services for Leo Sytsma will be held Friday, July 15, 2011, at 10 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa with Pastor Alvern Boetsma officiating. Burial will be in the Bellefountaine Cemetery at Tracy. Visitation will begin Thursday after 11 a.m., and the family will be at the funeral chapel on Thursday from 5 – 8 p.m. to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to the Clay Township Fire Dept.
Source: Bates Funeral Chapel
