Gracia Punt

Gracia Arlene Punt was born to Gerrit and Hattie (Gerritsen) Vande Kamp, Jr. on August 28, 1937 in Sioux Center, Iowa where she was raised and received her education. On September 23, 1955, she was united in marriage to Lloyd Punt in Sioux Center. Following their marriage, they lived in Sioux Center until 1960 when they moved to an acreage just west of Sioux Center and began farming with a large flock of laying hens, a few cows, and 80 acres of rented land. In 1969, they moved with their three children after they purchased their own farm located south of Pipestone, Minnesota. Gracia helped with the farm work until 1984 when she became employed in the Dietary Department at the Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone. She continued to work there for over 7 years. She and Lloyd were also the custodians at the Pipestone Christian Reformed Church for three years. She then helped out during the summer months at Carrow's True Value. Due to health issues and a heart attack on December 22, 2019, Lloyd became a resident of Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone and he preceded her in death in June, 2021 after 65 years of marriage. During this same period of time, health issues moved Gracia to an independent apartment at Ridge View Estates where she lived until she passed away unexpectedly to her Heavenly Home on December 22, 2024 at the age of 87 years, three months and 24 days. 

Gracia was a member of the Christian Reformed Church in Pipestone and she enjoyed various Bible Studies over the years. She was also a member of the neighborhood Extension Club. She loved her flower and vegetable gardens and outdoor activities, especially mowing and traveling. She and Lloyd enjoyed many years of spending their winter months in Apache Junction, Arizona. She loved being involved in all the activities of their park. She was always energetic and willing to help when something needed to be done.

She is lovingly remembered by two of her children, Larry (Arlene) Punt of Kuna, Idaho and Linda (Gene) Boersma of Pipestone, Minnesota; ten grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; two sisters, Helen Mulder of St. John, Indiana and Gertrude (Don) Vos of Ripon, California; and one sister-in-law, Delores Leenderts of Hills, Minnesota. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd; her parents; her oldest son, Gary; two brothers, Gerrit and Gerald; and four sisters, Wilhelmina Kraayenbrink, Margaret Sybesma, Alvina Punt and Henrietta Sneller, all of NW Iowa, along with brothers-in-law, Asa Kraayenbrink, John Meendering, Syne Sybesma, Donald Punt, Harold Sneller, Edwin Mulder and Leonard Leenderts. Blessed be her memory!