Obituary of William Maurice Branderhorst

William M. Branderhorst, the son of Gerrit and Evalena VanRyswyk Branderhorst was born August 7, 1929, in Jasper County, Iowa. He attended Des Moines #4 rural schools. On November 6, 1952, William was united in marriage with Jennie Marie VanSoelen in Sully, Iowa. He professed his faith as a young man in the Prairie City Christian Reformed Church. Later they joined the Newton Christian Reformed Church where he also attended a Bible study. Attending Sunday services was a vital part of Williams life. Christian education was dear to Williams heart. He gave many years to serving on the board of Newton Christian School. After his marriage they made their home on the farm south of Newton and later moved to an acreage in the same vicinity where he resided until his death. Besides farming, William was a seed corn salesman. He worked very hard at being a good salesman and as a reward he and Jennie were privileged to visit many European Countries and Hawaii several times. He enjoyed going to weekly livestock sales and collecting antique toy tractors and cars. The joy of his life was his grandchildren, whose ball games and other school activities he followed and most recently a new joy entered his life when he became great grandpa to triplet baby boys. The Bible verse Acts 20:35 ".It is more blessed to give than receive." became realty to him many times in his lifetime when he would have opportunities to give of his time, talents and support to help others. William died Sunday, November 23, 2008, at Iowa Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa. He was 79 years old. William was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters, Marie Vos, Dorothy DeKoning, Wilma Van Zee and Leona VanSoelen. Those left to honor Williams memory include his wife, Jennie Branderhorst of Newton; his sons, William Gerrit (Margie) Branderhorst of Newton, Mark Edward (Lois) Branderhorst of Pella; his daughters, Judith Ann (Allen) Nikkel of Urbandale and Joyce Eileen (Craig) VanDerWilt of Newton; his ten grandchildren, Adam Nikkel, Aaron Nikkel, Amanda Nikkel, Benjamin Branderhorst, Joel Branderhorst, Joshua (Katie) Branderhorst, Lucas Branderhorst, Alex Branderhorst, Jennifer VanDerWilt, Nicholas VanDerWilt; his great grandchildren, Gage Branderhorst, Riker Branderhorst,Eli Branderhorst; his brothers, Marvin Branderhorst of Pella, Gerrit Branderhorst of Pella; his sisters, Mildred VanderHoek of Monroe, Esther Wellington of Ft. Lauterdale, Florida, Pearl Van Zee of Newton and many nieces and nephews.