Forrest Roorda, 94
Forrest Roorda, 94, died July 13, 2019. Visitation will be at Garden Chapel Funeral Home in Pella from noon-7 p.m. on Friday, July 19, with the family present 5-7 p.m. His memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 20, at Otley Reformed Church. Memorials have been designated for Otley Reformed Church and Hospice of Pella.
Forrest David Roorda was born July 4, 1925, to Epke Gerrit and Emma Marie (Boot) Roorda, in Marion County. Forrest was raised in the Otley area where he attended school through the eighth grade. Dec. 16, 1948, he was united in marriage to Gerdena Van Hemert at her mother’s home. Forrest and Gerdena were members of Otley Reformed Church, where he was on the consistory and sang in the men’s chorus. Faith and spiritual well-being were very important to him, regular worship attendance and Sunday observance. He and his wife were active in church activities and visited shut-ins and the sick.
Throughout his career, Forrest farmed, worked in construction with his brother Edgar, did factory maintenance for Vermeer Manufacturing for 25 years, and worked for De Ruiter Lawn and Garden for 18 years.
Forrest is survived by his six children: Gloria (Ken) Van Zee of Pella, Marcia (Ron) Schut of Pella, Doug (Ruth) Roorda of Lake Ozark, MO, Jan (Dave) Erickson of Pella, Barb (Craig) Maasdam of Sully, and Darel Roorda of Holland, MI; 13 grandchildren, 29 great-grand-children, and five great-great-grand- children.
He was preceded in death by his wife Gerdena, his parents; and his siblings: Melvin Gerrit Roorda, Erma Helen (Roorda) De Vries, Edgar John Roorda, and Robert Adrian Roorda.
He will be dearly missed by his family and many friends.
