Sidney James Droogsma

Funeral service for Sidney Droogsma, age 88, of Milaca, will be held on Monday, December 31, 2012 at 10:30 AM at the Christian Reformed Church in Pease with Chaplain Jerry Vandrovec officiating. Interment will follow at the Pease Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Sidney James Droogsma entered his eternal home in heaven on Dec. 27, 2012. Sidney was born on July 5, 1924, to Henry and Anna Droogsma in Milo Township, MN. He was a baptized child of God and a life long member of the Christian Reformed Church, where he served as an elder. He daily read his Bible and shared his faith in his Savior, Jesus Christ with people and family. Sidney joined the U.S. Navy in 1944 and served until 1946. In his lifetime, he served as a special deputy and a village policeman for Milaca, trimmed trees, and worked for the Post Office from 1959 until he retired in 1993. Sidney married Jeanette VanDyke on Feb. 21, 1947 at the Christian Reformed Church of Pease, MN, with Rev. Reuben DeHaan officiating. They were blessed with nine children and recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. Sid and Jean enjoyed fishing with cane poles and traveling together. Sid also enjoyed hunting with family members. He had 16 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Sidney is survived by wife, Jeanette, children; Harlan (Janet) of Anoka, Ronald (Colleen) of Elk River, David (Monica) of Brooklyn Center, Carol Torkelson of Fridley, Donna (Tim) Holmes of Hinckley, Calvin of Rockford, Shirley (Tom) Giroux of Monticello, and Richard (Ruth) of Brooklyn Park, brother Ray (Lil) of Milaca, sister Flo VanDeRiet of Pease, 15 grandchildren and 13 great- grandchildren. Preceded in death by his parents, brothers; Hank and Ernie, sisters; Agnes, Edith, and Dena, son; Gerald, and grandchild Cheri Holmes.