James Koedam
James Koedam, 77,
died Saturday, January 14 at Avera St. Benedict Hospital in Parkston. Funeral
service will be Wednesday, January 18 at 10:30 am at the Netherlands Reformed
Congregation in Corsica. Visitation will be Tuesday, January 17 from 6 to 8 pm
with an 8:00 pm prayer service at the Netherlands Reformed School Gym in
Corsica. Arrangements by Koehn Bros. Funeral Home in Armour.
Jim was born June
9, 1945, to Sam and Gertie (Zomer) Koedam on the family farm east of Corsica,
SD. He grew up on the farm and attended country school near there through the
8th grade. He was united in marriage to Kathleen Walma on June 26, 1964 at the
bride’s parent’s home. Jim worked various jobs before taking over the family
dairy farm. He operated the farm until retiring and moving into Corsica in
2015. He was member of the Netherlands Reformed Church where he served as a
deacon and elder. He also drove school bus for the Netherlands Reformed
Christian School for many years.
Grateful for having shared his life
are his wife, Kathleen of Corsica; 5 children: James Koedam Jr. of Grand
Rapids, MI; Sam (Sandy) Koedam of New Underwood, SD; Dwight Koedam of Armour,
SD; David (Natalie) Koedam of Corsica, SD; and Daniel (Denise) Koedam of
Corsica, SD; 21 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; a brother, Sam (Reva)
Koedam of Canton, SD; 3 sisters-in-law: Sally Koedam of Sheldon, IA; Rolena
Walma of Corsica, SD; and Betty Spaans of Grand Rapids, MI; and 2
brothers-in-law: Leonard Zoeller of Hawarden, IA; and John (Julie) Walma of
Sioux Falls, SD.
He was preceded in death by his parents; 4 brothers,
Bill, Herm, John and Andy; and 5 sisters, Hermina, Lyda, Jenny, Ruth, and
Martha in infancy.
