John Gorter

JOHN GORTER was born to Lawrence and Ann (Oostra) Gorter on June 25, 1924 in Doon, Iowa where he was raised on the farm and attended Doon Christian School. In 1942, he moved with his family, to a farm in Gray Township of Pipestone County, Minnesota, and helped his father farm. During this time, he also worked in the upholstery business. On February 22, 1952, he was united in marriage to Geraldine Hoff at the Steen Reformed Church in Steen, Minnesota. Following their marriage, they lived and farmed in Gray Township south of Pipestone, Minnesota. While farming, he milked dairy cows until 1988. He also stayed active by working at the sales barn for 25 years from 1961 through 1986. His wife preceded him in death on November 18, 2008. After her death, he continued to reside on the farm until November 23, 2009, when he became a resident of the Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone. On Sunday morning, May 1, 2011, he died there unexpectedly at the age of 86 years, ten months and six days.

John was a member of the Pipestone Christian Reformed Church where he was active as an elder and a deacon. He attended Bible studies and belonged to the men's group. Throughout his lifetime, John had a love for the land. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He is lovingly remembered by his eight children, Arlinda Carr and her husband David of Loveland, Colorado, Gary Gorter and his wife Deb of Pipestone, Minnesota, John Gorter of Holland, Minnesota, Kevin Gorter and his wife Lisa of Pipestone, Minnesota, Delwyn Gorter and his wife Regina of Sherman, South Dakota, Sharla Drew and her husband Bruce of Jasper, Minnesota, Douglas Gorter of Pipestone, Minnesota, Bradley Gorter and his wife Susan of Pipestone, Minnesota; his son-in-law, David Greve of Holland, Minnesota; 27 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Ann Stevens and Rena Ford, both of Edgerton, Minnesota, and Mary Van Hofwegen and her husband Dick of Hardwick, Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his wife Geraldine; his daughter, Gleann Greve; one sister, Ruby Gorter; and three brothers, Lawrence (Doc) Gorter, Clarence Gorter and Pete Gorter.