Gerrit Draayer

Gerrit Draayer, age 87 of Sioux Center, IA, died Friday, January 16, 2026, at Crown Pointe Estates in Sioux Center.

A visitation with family present will be held from 6-8 PM at the Memorial Funeral Home in Sioux Center, Tuesday evening, January 20, 2026.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, January 21, 202,6 at the First Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Center with the Rev. Kurt Monroe officiating.

Livesteam Link: Gary Draayer Service

A private family committal will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests gifts be directed to Sioux Center Health Hospice & Home Care.

Gerrit (Gary) Draayer was born the 2nd youngest of 11 siblings to Gerrit and Jane (Langstraat) Draayer.

He attended school in Maurice and Sioux Center Christian school. He married Sandra Rozeboom on June 3, 1958, at the First Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Center where they were both members. Together they raised 3 children, Steve, Keri (Vande Kamp) and Maria (Muilenburg).

Gary worked on the family farm during his school years and started working at the Coop Produce in Sioux Center after graduation. He co-owned Kosters Manufacturing for several years, fondly earning the title of “Lawn Mower Man”. Gary worked at Coop How To Store until retirement when he was well into his 80’s.

Gary was a lifelong member of the First Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Center. He was honored to serve as a deacon, elder and member of the Gleaners Forum for many years, growing lifelong friendships, and growing his relationship with the Lord.

Gary loved spending time with family and friends, attending children’s and grandchildren’s activities. He especially loved playing games, vacationing at the lake-teaching grandkids to fish, baiting everyone’s hooks, and cleaning all the fish. He enjoyed countless outings and camping trips with lifelong friends, Eldon and Wilma Vander Berg and Sherm and Goldene Wissink.

Those who knew Gary, often witnessed his servant’s heart and quirky sense of humor. He was a proud blood donor, donating well over 30 gallons to the blood bank. On snow days, he could often be found clearing the snow from many neighbor’s driveways and clearing entire blocks of sidewalks.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Gerrit and Jane Draayer and parents-in-law, Ed and Bernice Rozeboom; siblings and in-laws: Henry and Wilmina Kramer, Nick and Dorothy Draayer, Cap and John Calkhoven, John and Ann De Weerd, John and Gertrude Draayer, Ed and Lillian Draayer, Gerald and Gladys De Weerd, Wilbur and Jean Draayer; brothers-in-law: Gerrit Kruid, Stan Dibbet, Andy Ploegstra and sister-in-law, Belle Draayer.

Gary is survived by his wife of 67 years, Sandy Draayer of Sioux Center; his children: Steve Draayer of Texas, Keri and Arden Vande Kamp of Sioux Falls and Maria and Harlan Muilenburg of Sioux Center; 4 grandchildren: Gerred Zeising, Ashton (DeAnn) Muilenburg, Shayanne Muilenburg, Logan (Tasheena) Muilenburg; 1 great granddaughter, Alaiya Muilenburg; sister, Cynthia Kruid; brother, Ken Draayer; and four sisters-in-law: Mary Ploegstra, LeAnne Dibbet, Beth Rozeboom, Geri (Doug) Van Holland.