Peter Fonkert

IN MEMORY OF
PETER FONKERT JR.

BORN
December 29, 1913 ~ Brewster, Minnesota
PASSED AWAY
June 8, 2005 ~ Sheldon, Iowa

FUNERAL SERVICE
11:00 A.M. Saturday, June 11, 2005
Bethel Reformed Church, Sheldon, Iowa
Rev. Brian Keepers ~ officiating

VISITATION
After 2:00pm Friday, June 10, 2005
With the family present from 7:00 ~ 8:00pm
At the Vander Ploeg Funeral Home, Sheldon

MUSIC
“God Will Take Care of You”
Duet: Rebecca Fonkert and Molly Chickering

CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS
Handout “Whispering Hope”
Handout “My God and I”
Organist: Carol Statema

CASKET BEARERS
Kevin Fonkert Tim Fonkert
Randy Fonkert Don Hoppe
David Fonkert Michael Fonkert
Jim Ferrell Craig Fredin

FINAL RESTING PLACE
East Lawn Cemetery
Sheldon, Iowa

After today’s service, relatives and friends are invited
to join the family in the fellowship hall of the church.

Arrangements under the care of
Vander Ploeg Funeral Home of Sheldon, Iowa





Peter Fonkert Jr., the son of Peter Sr. and Sadie (Johnson) Fonkert, was born December 29, 1913 on a farm near Brewster, Minnesota. As a small child, he moved with his parents to Iowa for 2 years, before moving to Clear Lake, South Dakota, where he received his education in a country school. On April 4, 1936, he was united in marriage to Janette Harms and the young couple made their home in Sheldon. Peter worked many jobs as a day laborer and carpenter; he learned a special trade as a brick layer, which he did for 43 years before retiring in 1980. His first brick laying job was on the Bethel Reformed Church in Sheldon. Peter passed away on Wednesday, June 8, 2005 at the Northwest Iowa Health Center – Senior Care in Sheldon, reaching the age of 91 years, 5 months and 8 days.
Peter was an active charter member of the Bethel Reformed Church in Sheldon, going on Lay Witness Missions; he was a Brotherhood member serving in various offices, he attended Sunday school and was the Head Usher for many years. He enjoyed fishing, bowling, singing in the church choir and most of all he enjoyed his family.
Peter leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 69 years, Janette of Sheldon, Iowa; and their six children, Carol Hoppe and her husband, Eugene of Doon, Iowa; Peter H. Fonkert of Fruitport, Michigan; Betty Ferrell of Orange City, Iowa; Rodney Fonkert and his wife, Bonnie and Leroy Fonkert all of Sheldon, Iowa; David Fonkert and his wife, Noreen of Lawrence, Kansas; thirteen grandchildren, Pam Fredin; Doug and Don Hoppe; Kevin and Tim Fonkert; Deb Post; Rhonda Chickering; Randy Fonkert; Rebecca Fonkert; Jim Ferrell; Sherry DeHaan; David and Michael Fonkert; 24 great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, Marcella, Geraldine and Thelma Jean; 2 brothers, Richard and Walter.