Alfred Braaksma

Alfred Braaksma, age 90, Loudon, Tennessee, and formerly of Randolph, passed away on Monday morning, January 26, 2015, at Parkwest Medical Center in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Alfred was born on August 12, 1924 in Cambria, Wisconsin, the firstborn child of Ray and Mamie (Wiersma) Braaksma. Al’s strong faith in the Lord guided his entire life. He graduated from Randolph High School and attended business colleges in Oshkosh and Madison. Al served his country in the U.S. Army from January 1945 to November 1946, stationed in the South Pacific. On June 18, 1945, between basic training and going overseas, he married Margie Vredeveld. They were blessed with four children. Marge preceded him in death in 1972.

Following his time in the service, Alfred worked as a lumber buyer for Rockwell of Randolph until purchasing the lumber yard in Friesland in 1950. He also partnered with other investors to form Wisconsin Wood Window. In 1960 he went into partnership with Roy Schreiber and added the lumber yard in Pardeeville to the business, now called Royal Lumber.

In the 1960s, Al began to dedicate many hours to volunteer work, doing construction projects at various mission sites throughout the country including Annville, Kentucky; Brewton, Alabama; and Dulce, New Mexico. This labor of love continued for as long as he was able, and many lives were touched by his dedicated ministry.

In 1973, Alfred met Patricia Diebley at the little church he attended when he was on his fishing trips in Canada. They were married on November 22, 1973, in Eagle River, Ontario. This marriage brought two stepchildren into Al’s life.

Alfred lived a full and active life and enjoyed many hobbies including hunting, fishing and playing cards. When he was in his 50s, he achieved his private pilot’s license and owned a small plane with a few other pilots. He also belonged to the VFW-Arkansas and Ducks Unlimited. He was a life-long member of the First Reformed Church of Friesland and had been a beloved Sunday School teacher. He also served six years on the Reformed Church in America National Mission Board. More recently he attended Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church in Loudon, Tennessee.

Alfred is survived by his wife, Pat Braaksma; two sons, Bruce (Jean) Braaksma of Friesland and Douglas (Mary) Braaksma of Florida; step-son Jeff Diebley of California; two daughters, Gayle (Tom) Krueger of Rio and Rebecca (Ron) Deering of Michigan; step-daughter, Judy (Ben) D’Ooge of Tennessee; brother, Gordon (Lucy) Braaksma of Cambria; sister, Shelby (Nick) VanderBorgh of Colorado; ten grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his first wife Marge, his parents and a daughter-in-law, Karen Braaksma.

A celebration of Alfred’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2015 at First Reformed Church, 107 East Winnebago Street, Friesland, with his good friend, Rev. Dick Doeden, officiating. Graveside military honors will be provided by the Randolph VFW.

Al’s family will receive relatives and friends from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Salvation Army, Samaritan’s Purse or another charity of choice.