Nick Zwaan

NICK ZWAAN was born on September 10, 1914 to Henry and Grace (Brouwer) Zwaan in the Netherlands. He came to the United States with his family in 1917. The family lived in Leota for 1 years before settling on a farm in the Doon, Iowa area in 1919. Nick began his education in country school and then finished through the eighth grade in the local Christian school. In 1929, he and his family moved to a ranch near Martin, South Dakota, where he eventually met his future wife, Bertha Nydam. On February 12, 1937 the couple was united in marriage in Corsica, South Dakota. Following their marriage they lived with his parents for one year before returning to the Doon area to live and continue his lifelong career on the farm. In 1957 they moved to a farm near Steen, Minnesota. Nick continued his devotion to the land and cared for his animals here for the rest of his life. Although Nick eventually retired, he remained active on the farm and took great pride in keeping it up. Bertha preceded him in death on February 26, 1997. Nick continued to reside on their farm and stayed engaged with his profession while also keeping busy with vegetable gardening. On Thursday, March 14, 2013 Nick died peacefully at the Parkview Manor in Ellsworth, Minnesota at the age of 98 years, six months and five days.

Nick attended the Christian Reformed Church in Luverne, Minnesota. His faith was very strong and though he may have lived relatively quiet, Nick’s faith spoke very loud to those that his life’s path crossed. He loved his grandchildren and had a special unique connection with each of them. He also loved his great-grandchildren.

Nick is lovingly remembered by his two children, Henry and his wife Carol Zwaan of rural Steen, Myra and her husband Myron Vugteveen of North Mankato, Minnesota; seven grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his wife, Bertha; one great-grandson, Zachary Zwaan; parents, Henry and Grace Zwaan; four sisters, Gert Van Ketel, Tillie Holtrop, Hilda Roozenboom and Grace Bouma; and three brothers, Ralph, Pete and another brother who died at age 16 in the Netherlands.

Memorials are preferred to the Union Gospel Mission in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.