John Bernard Halbersma

John Bernard Halbersma…

was born to Martin and Jessie (Kots) Halbersma on January 4, 1927 on a farm southwest of Edgerton, Minnesota. He was baptized in the Christian Reformed Church in Edgerton. In 1933, he moved with his parents to a farm on the edge of Leota, Minnesota where John received his education through the eighth grade. In 1942, when John was 15 years old, his parents purchased a farm south of Pipestone, Minnesota, and John lived the rest of his life there. While working for his parents, he also worked for several neighboring farmers. After his parents retired, John and his brother Ed farmed together until John was drafted into the U.S. Army in September, 1950. He left with the first group of men from Pipestone during the Korean War. He served in Japan and Korea. After he received his honorable discharge in September, 1952, he returned to the farm. On December 31, 1952, he was united in marriage to Lorraine Vande Voorde at St. Leo Rectory in Pipestone. Following their marriage, they continued to farm until John’s retirement in 1998. He died peacefully at the Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone on Sunday, May 21, 2017 at the age of 90 years, four months and 17 days.

John was a member St. Leo Catholic Church in Pipestone, Minnesota. He has been a member of Michael Boock American Legion Post #6 in Pipestone since 1952. He enjoyed watching sports, especially the Minnesota Twins baseball games. He also enjoyed going to Lange’s Caf and working on various wood projects. He especially loved spending time with his family, children and grandchildren.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Lorraine Halbersma of Pipestone, Minnesota; four children, Douglas (Jacque) Halbersma of Pipestone, Connie (Daniel) Robards of Glenwood, Minnesota, David (Jill) Halbersma of Pipestone, and Duane Halbersma of Pipestone; five grandchildren, Joanna Zimny, Brent Halbersma, Aaron Halbersma, Jamie Morin and Anna Kay Hernandez; eight great-grandchildren, Tando, Mia, Ignacio, Illario, Ismael, Noah, Piper and Rowan; and one brother, Lawrence Halbersma of Brookings, South Dakota. He is preceded in death by his parents; five sisters, Elizabeth, Ellen, Bernice, Luella and Mary; and two brothers, Harold and Ed.