Wiebe Jelsma, 98, of Turbotville, PA (formerly of Roaring Branch) passed away peacefully on June 13, 2020 at UPMC Muncy Place. He was born on January 13, 1922 in Den Helder, North Holland, Netherlands. He was the son of Harm Jelsma and Fokeltje (Nauta) Jelsma. He received his accounting degree in the Netherlands before immigrating to the United States in 1950. He was a Prudential Agent for many years, then worked for the Bradford County Housing and Redevelopment Authority in Blossburg, PA until his retirement in 1984. He and two friends founded the Sheshequin Trail Campground in Marsh Hill in the 70’s, where he enjoyed spending time with many new friends he made there. He was a founding member of the Roaring Branch Water Works and the First United Methodist Church in Muncy, PA.
He was married to the late Waldtraut E. (Grossgebauer) Jelsma on March 15, 1952 and shared 59 wonderful years of marriage. They enjoyed traveling to see their families in the Netherlands and Germany as well as around the United States and Canada. They spent most of their married life in Roaring Branch, where Wiebe always had a huge vegetable and flower garden. He loved to give away the potatoes and shallots that he grew and was so proud of the dinner plate dahlias he had in his garden.
He was married to the late Waldtraut E. (Grossgebauer) Jelsma on March 15, 1952 and shared 59 wonderful years of marriage. They enjoyed traveling to see their families in the Netherlands and Germany as well as around the United States and Canada. They spent most of their married life in Roaring Branch, where Wiebe always had a huge vegetable and flower garden. He loved to give away the potatoes and shallots that he grew and was so proud of the dinner plate dahlias he had in his garden.
He was a loving husband, father, and Opa (grandfather in Dutch) and cherished his family time. In addition to his love of gardening, he enjoyed reading non-fiction books, many magazines, and the daily newspaper, as well as playing cards, traveling, singing and listening to music, going to dramas and musicals, eating out, camping, and being in nature.
Surviving Wiebe is his daughter, Barbara and her husband Mitch Morgan, granddaughter Juliana and her husband Dan Mingle, and grandson Crispin Morgan, sister Dieuwke van de Velde and brother Bernard and his wife Coby Jelsma. Preceding him in death were his parents, his wife Wally (September 1, 2011), stillborn son Paul, and brothers Jurjen Jelsma and Jelle Jelsma.
Due to the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, a private family funeral is being held at Pepper Funeral Home and Cremation Facility, Inc., 578 Springbrook Dr., Canton, PA., Thursday, June 18, 2020. There will be a celebration of life memorial service that will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Roaring Branch Water Works, PO Box 58, Roaring Branch, PA 17765. Please share memories and condolences at www.pepperfuneralhomes.com.
Surviving Wiebe is his daughter, Barbara and her husband Mitch Morgan, granddaughter Juliana and her husband Dan Mingle, and grandson Crispin Morgan, sister Dieuwke van de Velde and brother Bernard and his wife Coby Jelsma. Preceding him in death were his parents, his wife Wally (September 1, 2011), stillborn son Paul, and brothers Jurjen Jelsma and Jelle Jelsma.
Due to the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, a private family funeral is being held at Pepper Funeral Home and Cremation Facility, Inc., 578 Springbrook Dr., Canton, PA., Thursday, June 18, 2020. There will be a celebration of life memorial service that will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Roaring Branch Water Works, PO Box 58, Roaring Branch, PA 17765. Please share memories and condolences at www.pepperfuneralhomes.com.
