Mr. Johnnie “John” Solsma, age 85, of Hospers, passed away on Friday, September 13, 2024, at the Prairie View Home in Sanborn.
A visitation with the family present was held on Monday, September 16, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, at the Trinity Reformed Church in Hospers. There will be a funeral service on Tuesday, September 17, at 10:30am, at the church with the Rev. Paul Van Maaren officiating. Interment will follow the service at the Hospers Cemetery near Hospers. The Oolman Funeral Home in Hospers is in charge of arrangements.
Johnnie Solsma, Jr. was born on November 20, 1938, in Sanborn, the son of John J. and Agnes (Roorda) Solsma. At a young age, his family moved to a small farm outside Hospers, where he graduated from the Hospers High School in 1956. As a young man, he joined the National Guard and spent six years as part of the 185th Air Refueling Wing in Sioux City, being honorably discharged at the rank of Staff Sergeant.
On November 21, 1963, he was united in marriage to Judith Ellen Kramer. They made their home in Hospers, where they raised their four children. John, along with members of his family, owned and operated Solsma Excavating and Tiling in Hospers for more than fifty years until he passed the reins to his son, Jared. He also served on the Hospers City Council for forty years, several of which he served as Mayor. Judy passed away just three weeks and three days prior to John on August 20, 2024, in Sheldon, after more than sixty years of marriage.
John was a lifelong member of the First Reformed Church in Hospers, where he taught Sunday school and served as a deacon and an elder. He liked attending his children’s and grandchildren’s school activities. He also enjoyed taking bus trips with Judy. A few of his favorite trips were to the Rocky Mountains, the Wisconsin Dells, Mackinac Island, Texas, and Canada.
Survivors include his four children, Jim Solsma, and his wife, Kelli, of Rogers, Arkansas; Julie, and her husband, Barry Van Iperen, of Lake Park; Jared Solsma, of Alton; and Jantina Carney, of Spirit Lake; eleven grandchildren, Alex Solsma; Jaden, and her husband, Nilang Patel; Trenton Solsma, and his wife, Jennifer; Jenna, and her husband, Josh Snyder; Brady Van Iperen; Carter Solsma; Austin Solsma; Kate Solsma; Tyler Solsma, and his wife, Cali; Max Carney and Elli Carney; seven great-grandchildren, Stella and Holland Patel; Evelyn and Weston Solsma; Graham and Avery Snyder; and Harper Solsma; two siblings and their spouses, Virgil and Pam Solsma; and Joyce and Warren “Bud” Mouw; Judy’s siblings, Dale Kramer, and his wife, Vicki; and Luann Kramer; along with many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his wife’s parents, Jacob and Arlene Kramer; two sisters, Margene and Betty Jean; a brother and his wife, Richard and Gertrude Solsma; a brother-in-law and his wife, Fred and Bonnie Kramer; and a nephew, Donny Solsma.
Memorials will be given to the family to start a scholarship for a student attending the Heavy Equipment Operation and Maintenance program at Northwest Iowa Community College.
You are invited to leave a message of condolence, print a memorial folder, view a tribute video, and participate in the service at www.oolman.com.
