Wilbur Zeilstra

November 23, 1928 - April 29, 2023

Visitation: Due to construction at Bethany Reformed Wilbur’s visitation and service will take place at Redeemer Free Lutheran Church in Canton, SD.

Service: Visitation will be Tuesday, May 2, 2023 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the Redeemer Free Lutheran Church, Canton, SD, followed by a funeral service at 7:00 p.m.

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Due to construction at Bethany Reformed Church, Wilbur’s visitation and service will take place at Redeemer Free Lutheran Church in Canton, SD.

Wilbur Zeilstra, age 94, died Saturday, April 29, 2023, at his home surrounded by his family.  Visitation will be Tuesday, May 2, 2023 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the Redeemer Free Lutheran Church, Canton, SD, followed by a funeral service at 7:00 p.m.

            Wilbur (Wieberen) Zeilstra was born on November 23, 1928, on a farm near Worthing, SD to Teunis and Lutje (van de Pol) Zeilstra.  He attended Cottage Grove Country School near Worthing and Pleasant Hill Country School when the family lived near Beresford, SD.  He farmed with his father near Beresford.  On March 6, 1951, he married Tillie Van De Stroet.  In May 1951 he was drafted into the US Army and served his country during the Korean Conflict.

            After returning home from Korea, he farmed with his father until 1955.  He then moved his family to Woodstock, Minnesota.  Later, he farmed near Inwood, Iowa and Fairview, SD.  He retired from active farming in 2015.  He served on the Fairview Township Board and maintained the township roads for many years.  He was a longtime member of Bethany Reformed Church in Canton, SD where he served as a deacon and elder.

            Wilbur is survived by his wife, Tillie; 6 children, Wilmar of Fairview, SD, Ethel (Andrew Sharpe) of Concord, NH, Joyce (James Fedderson) of Beresford, SD, Jerry of Pittsburgh, PA, Mary (Dan Tegarden) of Fairview, SD, Micheal and (Joanne) of Fairview, SD, 15 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren, and sister JoAnn (Wilbur De Jong) of Orange City, IA. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandson Jerimiah Lemke, son-in-law Jim Jibben, and his siblings: infant brother Luther, Albertha (John Van Roekel), John (Elizabeth Van Egdom), and Jennie (Gerrit Van  Engelenhoven).

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3 messages have been left

  1. Colleen Drane on April 30, 2023 said:

    Praying for comfort, peace and strength.

  2. Daisy and Red Langton on April 30, 2023 said:

    We are celebrating with all of you ❤️ the home going of Wieb. He was such a gentle kind man who loved his family and friends. But most of all he loved Jesus.

  3. Gene Thormodsgaard on April 30, 2023 said:

    The Zeilstra family where our neighbors for many years, great people, great farmers, will always remember them, are prayers are with you at this time of loss of Willie.