Gerrit Jacob Brouwer, age 87, Carthage, Mo., passed away early Monday morning, Jan. 6, 2020, at his home with family by his side.
Gerrit was born July 30, 1932, in Inwood, Iowa, to Jorienus Brouwer and Artie (Brands) Brouwer. Gerrit was born into a Christ-honoring family where God’s Word was read daily. He was raised worshipping God each Sunday and attending Sunday school.
Gerrit moved with his family when he was in 8th grade to Edgerton, Minnesota, where he met his future wife. Gerrit was very active in area youth groups, Christian Endeavor, and summer Bible camps. He became a Christian as a teenager and went on to become a camp counselor. Gerrit worked on his family’s farm until he was drafted into the Army in 1952. He served during the Korean War in Germany as a photo lithographer, obtained his GED, and was honorably discharged in 1954.
Gerrit married Esther Veldhuizen on January 7, 1955, in Edgerton, Minnesota. To this union of 65 years, six children were born. Gerrit and Esther first farmed by Woodstock and Edgerton, Minnesota, and later started their Shaklee business from their home in 1970. In 1976 they moved to Alba, Missouri, to pursue an additional business venture developing an animal feed additive. After living in Missouri for 12 years, they moved to Corwith, Iowa, for 9 years before returning back to the Carthage area. Gerrit was an entrepreneur and had many interests including gardening, inventing, and designing and building their current home.
During Gerrit’s lifetime, he served in many capacities of Christian service including teaching Sunday School, serving as an Elder, and working with the Stephen Ministry. He greatly enjoyed being a part of the Young at Heart group and served weekly on the Welcome Team. Gerrit was an active member of Christ’s Church of Oronogo.
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Esther, his children, Vernon (Gloria) Brouwer of Jasper, Minnesota; Linda (Lyle) Anderson of Luverne, Minnesota; Leah (Darrell) VanMeeteren of Luverne Minnesota; Nancy (James) Carter of Grand Junction, Colorado; Paul (Julie) Brouwer of Webb City, Missouri; and Steven (Cassandra) Brouwer of Joplin, Missouri; two brothers, Peter Brouwer and Albert Brouwer; four sisters, Jeanette Schelhaas, Rena Halbersma, Angeline Buysman, and Maxine Johnson; twenty grandchildren: Tim Brouwer, Mark Brouwer, Rebekah Schelhaas, Maria Postmus, Julia Holm, Ryan Brouwer, Michelle Zeigler, Melissa Payte, Jennifer Matney, Daniel VanMeeteren, Rachel Renken, Bonnie VanMeeteren, Brian VanMeeteren, Christopher Snowdon, Chelsea Piel, Brecklyn Brouwer, Brynna Williams, Baylor Brouwer, Aubree Brouwer, Micah Brouwer; thirty-six great-grandchildren as well as numerous members of his extended family.
He was preceded in death by his parents and four siblings; Jasper Brouwer, John Brouwer, Darlene Jacobson, and Joe Brouwer, and one son-in-law, Arlyn (Archie) Brons.
Visitation will be held from 6-7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10, 2020, at Knell Mortuary, Carthage, Missouri. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, at Christ’s Church of Oronogo, in Oronogo, Missouri. Prior to the celebration of his life, a private family interment will be held at Fairview Cemetery, rural Carthage.
Memorial gifts are suggested to Life Choices, Taking Christ to the Millions, or Alliance Defending Freedom in care of Knell Mortuary.
Online condolences may be expressed through www.knellmortuary.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Knell Mortuary.
