Irvin Huyser, 84, of Pella died Aug. 22, 2014. Funeral services were held Tuesday, Aug. 26, at Second Reformed Church at Pella. Interment was in the Oakwood Cemetery at Pella with military honors.
Irvin Wayne Huyser, son of William C. and Stella Vander Kamp Huyser, was born Feb. 14, 1930, near Sully. He grew up on a farm and attended Chester School. He had a strong interest in education throughout his life, but was needed to help work on his father’s farm after completing eighth grade.
As he grew through his teenage years, he began socializing with the youth of Pella and eventually met Edith Mathes, whom he married on Feb. 23, 1950, and enjoyed a loving relationship for 64 years.
Building on the skills he developed working on his father’s farm, Irvin worked as a hired hand and later was a deliveryman for Clover Leaf Dairy, his father’s business. In 1952, he was called into service as an infantryman for the “Big Red One” Infantry Division of the U.S. Army and served 1-1/2 years in Germany.
Upon returning from military service, Irvin began farming north of Pella with few resources. His son Curtis was born in 1954, and Irvin supported his family through hard work and determination. Later, he moved to a farm in the woods near Pleasantville overlooking what would eventually become part of Red Rock Reservoir. While living there, he developed a passion for wildlife and nature. After a couple of years, he took an opportunity to move to a farm east of Otley where he farmed for 13 years and became a supportive member of the local community. During this time, he developed his mechanical troubleshooting skills which laid the foundation for a career that started in 1973 as a sales and service representative in Illinois for the Agricultural Division of Vermeer Manufacturing and required a move from the Pella area to Chapin, IL. He eventually became a territory manager of Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Illinois and the Vermeer distributor in Illinois until retiring in 2007.
While living in Chapin, Irvin served the Chapin Christian Church as an elder and board chairman, as a director of the Chapin State Bank for 20 years, and as a trustee on the Chapin Village Board for 20 years. These institutions valued his insights and thoughtfulness on difficult issues.
In 2007, Irvin and Edith moved back to Pella to be closer to their roots. Irvin enjoyed reconnecting with old family and friends and sharing memories. Irvin had many interests throughout his life. He square danced as a member of the Circle 8 Club of Pella and the Yellow Rockers Club near Chapin, IL; he enjoyed travelling; he was an avid reader and follower of current events; and in retirement he pursued his joy of tinkering and fixing.
Irvin is survived by his wife Edith, son Curtis, daughter-in-law Nan, grandchildren Tiffany and Tyler, a sister LaVonne (Larry) Vande Kamp, a brother Karman (Sherry) Huyser, sisters-in-law Evelyn Beyer and Betty Huyser, brother-in-law Meredith Van Zee, and numerous nieces and nephews. Irvin was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Forrest and Orland, and his sisters Becky and LaVoe.
