Gordon Henry Stiemsma

Gordon Henry Stiemsma, age 80 of Randolph, passed away on Friday, April 30, 2010, at Golden Living Center - Continental Manor in Randolph.

Gordon was born on June 11, 1929 in rural Randolph, a son of Henry and Sarah (DeVries) Stiemsma. On May 17, 1952, he was united in marriage to Arlene Oestreich in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. Gordon was employed at Monarch Range for 25 years. He was a true outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing. His favorite get-a-way was going to the cabin in Pittsville. While there he enjoyed hunting, riding his 4-wheelers and visiting his friends Roy and Jessie. His only regret was not getting that elusive turkey. Gordon enjoyed collecting guns, gardening, going out to eat and spending time with his family.

Gordon is survived by his son James Stiemsma of Randolph; three daughters, Lynn (Larry) Prochnow, Cambria, Cindy (Ken Jr.) Zieman, Beaver Dam, and Sara (Tim) Brandsma, Cambria; eight grandchildren, Lee (Jennifer) Prochnow, Rio, Heidi (Bill) Brown, Boscobel, Jordan Prochnow, Cambria, Nicole (Brian) Goeman, Hartford, Benjamin (Julie) Zieman, Beaver Dam, Rebecca (Heather) Brandsma-Martin, Elkhorn, Joseph (Michelle) Brandsma, Cambria, and Steven Brandsma, of Madison now serving with the US Navy in Kuwait. He is further survived by eight great-grandchildren, Trajan, Teagan, and Tyson Prochnow, Avery Brown, Lucas Zieman, Ian Goeman, Paige and Tyler Brandsma; two sisters, Carol Nehmer, Randolph, Florence Tobak, Beaver Dam; his brother Louis (Debbie) Stiemsma, Randolph; two sisters-in-law, Virginia Stiemsma, Randolph, Helen Oestreich, Beaver Dam; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife Arlene in 1997; his parents; a sister, Betty Hull; and a brother Roger “Rhiney” Stiemsma, four brothers-in-law, two sisters-in-law and two nephews.

A Celebration of Gordon’s Life will be 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 5, 2010 at the Randolph United Methodist Church 227 N. High St., Randolph with Pastor Jeffrey Meyer officiating. Burial will follow in Randolph Cemetery.

Gordon’s family will receive relatives and friends on Tuesday, May 4 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Randolph Funeral Home, 208 S. High St, and on Wednesday at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service.

A memorial fund has been established in Gordon’s name.