Vander Zwaag, Gerrit James 1936-2026

VANDERZWAAG, JANS, VANDENBRINK

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/15/2026 at 15:05:13

Mr. Gerrit Van Der Zwaag, age 89, of Hull, passed away on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at the Pleasant Acres Care Center in Hull.

A visitation with the family present will be held on Sunday, June 21, from 4:00pm to 6:00pm, at the First Reformed Church in Hull. There will be a funeral service on Monday, June 22, at 10:00am, at the church with the Rev. Adam Van Der Stoep and the Rev. Keith Hoekstra officiating. Interment will follow the service at the Hope Cemetery in Hull. The Oolman Funeral Home in Hull is in charge of arrangements.

Gerrit James was born on September 1, 1936, at home in rural Hull, the oldest of three children born to Clarence and Ida (Jans) Van Der Zwaag. He attended country schools in the area through the eighth grade, and then began working on the family farm, taking over his dad’s responsibilities after he suffered from polio.

On April 5, 1961, he married Marylin Vanden Brink at the First Presbyterian Church in Hospers. They made their home on the family farm, where Gerrit owned and operated a corn shelling business. In time, he and his brother, Jake, also started Van Der Zwaag Trucking, which they eventually sold to Gerrit’s son, Calvin, and nephew, Ken. Even after the sale, Gerrit continued hauling grain with his own truck until his pickup truck accident in 2019. Following ten months in various hospitals and nursing homes for extensive rehabilitation, he was able to return home. Although he could no longer drive truck, he stayed active with farming until 2024, when heart surgery led him to move to Aspen Heights in Hull. More recently, he became a resident of the Pleasant Acres Care Center.

Gerrit was a member of the First Reformed Church and the Gideons Northwest Camp, where he served for 25 years. He enjoyed going out to eat and playing cards. In earlier years, he also loved going fishing and taking camping trips with family and friends. Gerrit had a special relationship with Eileen Boon, with whom he spent a lot of time after both of their spouses passed away.

Survivors include four children and their spouses, June and Arlan De Wit, of Boyden; Calvin and Kathy Van Der Zwaag, of Hull; Iva and Troy Prinsen, of Omaha, Nebraska; and Ila and Daryl Kats, of Rock Valley; thirteen grandchildren, Justin De Wit, and his wife, Lisa; Amber, and her husband, Cody Swensen; Brooke, and her husband, John Oldenkamp; Tyler Van Der Zwaag, and his wife, Janelle; Brianna, and her husband, Andy Shea; Zakiah Van Der Zwaag; Nicole Van Der Zwaag; Travis Prinsen, and his wife, Maddie; Jonathon Prinsen; Micah Kats, and his wife, Miranda; Levi Kats; Moriah Kats; and Isaac Kats; sixteen great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; a sister and her husband, Clara and Bernard Schiebout, of Mission, Texas; a brother-in-law and his wife, Galen and Mary Vanden Brink, of Aurora, Colorado; two sisters-in-law, Eleanor Burkman, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and Marjorie Vanden Brink, of Pekin, Illinois; numerous nieces and nephews; and his special friend, Eileen Boon.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a great-granddaughter, Hadlee Grace Prinsen; a great-great-granddaughter, Wrenlee Hope De Wit; a brother, Jake Van Der Zwaag, and his wives, Verna Jean and Sandra; his parents-in-law, Wynand and Marie Vanden Brink; two sisters-in-law, Elma, and her husband, Dale Klutman (and Dale’s second wife, Leona); and Phyllis Vanden Brink; and three brothers-in-law, Rodney Vanden Brink, and his wives, Helen and Charlene; Darrell Vanden Brink; and Donald Burkman.

Memorials will be given to Gideons International.

Source: Oolman Funeral Home online obituary.