Wendell Norman Tjossem

IN LOVING MEMORY OF
WENDELL N. TJOSSEM

BORN
April 22, 1934 ~ Gaza, Iowa
PASSED AWAY
October 7, 2018 ~ Rural Primghar, Iowa

FUNERAL SERVICE
10:30 A.M. Thursday, October 11, 2018
Church of Christ; Sutherland, Iowa
Pastor John Ericksen ~ Officiating

Visitation
with family present will be from 5 - 7 P.M
at the Eldridge Family Funeral Home in Primghar.

MUSIC
C.D. “In The Garden”
C.D. “How Great Thou Art”
C.D. “Courtesy of the Red, White & Blue”
sung by: Toby Keith

CASKET BEARERS
Casey Klatt Eric Klatt
Ben Klatt Avery Wendell Tjossem
Beau Roberts Trevor Rouillard
Caleb Freeman Brian Gunnerson

FINAL RESTING PLACE
Highland Township Cemetery
Rural Primghar, Iowa
Military Flag presentation by Chateau-Thierry Post of the American Legion of Primghar.

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 the
Eldridge Family Funeral Home; Primghar, Iowa
WENDELL N. TJOSSEM
Wendell Norman Tjossem, the son of Howell and Amelia (Orthman) Tjossem was born April 22, 1934 in rural Gaza, Iowa. He received his education and graduated from Gaza High School. He was called into the Army and served during the Korean Conflict. He returned to the Gaza area and started farming with his father and on February 10, 1957, he was united in marriage to Beverly Jean Froehlich in Cleghorn, Iowa. After their marriage the couple made they their home in Gaza, Iowa, where they farmed for many years. He also operated a corn sheller and had trucks which he hauled various items including steel. He and Beverly wintered in Texas, and enjoyed music including dancing to waltz’s and polkas. They would also go to flea markets always looking for a bargain. Beverly preceded him in death on August 3, 2000 in Denver, Colorado. Wendell remained in the family home and passed away on Sunday, October 7, 2018 at his home reaching the age of 84 years, 5 months and 15 days.
He was a member of the Producers Co-op in Gaza, Iowa and former chief and member of the Gaza Fire Department. Wendell collected pens, tractors and was always known to tell a good story. He was very proud that his farm was in his family long enough to be honored by the State of Iowa as a Century Farm
Wendell is survived by three daughters, Wendy Klatt of Sac City, Iowa; Candy Roberts of Gaza, Iowa; Michelle Freeman of Sibley, Iowa; also nine grandchildren, Casey, Eric and Benjamin Klatt, Avery and Amelia Tjossem, Beau Roberts, Crystal Roberts Rouillard, Caleb and Jesse Freeman; eight great grandchildren, Kinnick, Knox, Nora, Kyle, Ciara, Emma, Bently and Liam; three sisters-in-laws, Darlene Miller of Dakota Dunes, South Dakota; Kathy Albels of St. Louis, Missouri and Marcia Huffman of Calumet, Iowa; also other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, a great granddaughter, his parents and parents-in-law.

Final Harvest

He was bound to the land from the day of his birth
His roots anchored deep in the fertile earth
Nurtured, sustained, by the soil he grew
And his life, like his furrows, ran straight and true.

In faith, each spring, he planted the seeds
In hope, to reap his family’s needs
With patience, he waited for the harvest to come
To gather the fruits of his labor home.

Ever turning seasons, the years sped past
Till the final harvest came at last
Then claimed anew by beloved sod
He was gathered home to be with God.

-Barbara W. Weber