Sam Oudekerk, 90

Published 9:22 am Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Sam Oudekerk, 90, of Albert Lea, died Monday, Jan. 10, at Good Samaritan Center.

Sam Oudekerk

Sam Oudekerk was born on Jan. 23, 1920, in Kesly, Iowa to Roelf and Rena (Weichers) Oudekerk. He grew up in north central Iowa and went to school in Dumont and Garner Iowa.

Sam served in the United States Army during WWII. In 1941, Sam moved to Hollandale and began farming on his own. On Jan. 23, 1947 he was united in marriage to Tillie Noordhoek in Hollandale. Through his interest in planes, Sam earned his private pilots license and enjoyed flying. He liked farming and working with his tiling machine. In his spare time Sam enjoyed fishing, hunting and spending time with his family.

Sam is survived by wife, Tillie; children: Roelf (Sandra) Oudekerk, Tom (Patty) Oudekerk, Arie (Dawn Wollschlager) Oudekerk and Jane Oudekerk-Eastman; grandchildren: Travis Oudekerk, Trenton Oudekerk, James (Tammy) Oudekerk, Troy (Tammy) Oudekerk, Tamra (Chad) Kirschbaum, and Arianne (Ryan) Steenblock; step-grandchildren: Curt (Catherine) Bauers, Jim Bauers, Mitch (Meghan) Bauers, Melissa (Craig) Schmidt and Zoé Oudekerk; eight great-grandchildren; seven step-great-grandchildren; sisters: Harriet (Lloyd) Thoren, Cora (Lawrence) Maupin and Rosie (Bob) Holecek and many nieces and nephews.

Sam was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter in infancy; brothers: Henry (Elizabeth) Oudekerk, John (Harriet) Oudekerk, Koert Oudekerk, at age five; and John Oudekerk at six months; sisters: Jesse Oudekerk, Irene (Kobes) Miller and Elizabeth (Henry) Oudekerk; brothers-in-law: Leonard (Elsie) Noordhoek, Garrit (Sara) Noordhoek, Bill (Anna) Noordhoek, and John (Lila) Noordhoek; sisters-in-law, Gertrude (Oathel) Kendal and Maggie (Tony) Kochis.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 14, at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Chapel. Rev. Kent Otterman will officiate. Interment will be at the Blooming Prairie Cemetery with Military Honors by area veteran’s organizations. Visitation will be from 4 to 7p.m. Thursday, Jan. 13, at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service. To sign the guest book, go to www.bayviewfuneral.com.