George Steensma

GEORGE STEENSMA was born on December 24, 1920 to Andrew and Alice (Idzenga) Steensma in rural Bigelow, Minnesota, where he was raised and attended country school. He was united in marriage to Marie Paulina on December 22, 1941 in the parsonage of the Christian Reformed Church in Bigelow. George began farming in 1941 and the couple made their home on a farm in southeast of Bigelow. Here the couple was blessed with their four children. In 1953, George and his family moved to a farm near Chandler, Minnesota. They continued to reside on the farm until their retirement in 1980. The couple then moved to Luverne, Minnesota. Marie preceded George in death on April 22, 2006. George continued to reside in their home. On Thursday, October 3, 2013 he died peacefully at the Good Samaritan Society - Mary Jane Brown at the age of 92 years, 9 months and 9 days.

George was a member of the Christian Reformed Church in Luverne where he served as an elder. During his years in Chandler, George was an active member of the Chandler Christian Reformed Church where he served as an elder and deacon and also served on the Chandler Christian School Board. He served as an officer for Fenton Township in Murray County for many years. George enjoyed traveling, fishing, golfing, and in his earlier years pitching on the softball team.

George is lovingly remembered by his children, Andy Steensma and his wife Elaine, Ben Steensma and his wife Larae, all of Luverne, Robert 'Bud' Steensma and his wife Deb, and Fred Steensma and his wife Charlene all of the Slayton, MN area; 12 grandchildren, Steve Steensma, Stan Steensma, Sara Kooiman, Seth Steensma, Mike Steensma, Mary Van Horsen, Mark Steensma, Dale Steensma, Jason Steensma, Vicki Murray, Ann Elton, and Adam Steensma; 22 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Ted (Bertha) Steensma of Denver, CO, and Fred (Rena) Steensma of Lynden, WA; his sister, Ann Postma of Sibley, IA; his sisters-in-law, Grace Steensma of Sheldon, IA and Beatrice Van Velzen of Sioux Falls, SD; and other family. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marie; his parents; four brothers, Pete, Harry, Ike and Andrew; and his sister, Gertie Wassenaar.