Mrs. Judith “Judy” Solsma, age 82, of Hospers, passed away on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at Vista Prairie at Fieldcrest in Sheldon.
A visitation with the family present will be held on Friday, August 30, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, at the Trinity Reformed Church in Hospers. There will be a funeral service on Saturday, August 31, at 10:30am, at the church with the Rev. Milton Sikkema officiating. Interment will follow the service at the Hospers Cemetery near Hospers. The Oolman Funeral Home in Hospers is in charge of arrangements.
Judith Ellen was born on May 13, 1942, in Sheldon, the daughter of Jacob and Arlene (Uittenbogaard) Kramer. She was raised in Hospers and attended the Hospers Christian School and the Western Christian High School in Hull.
On November 21, 1963, she was united in marriage to Johnnie Solsma. They made their home in Hospers, where they raised their family, and Judy worked primarily as a homemaker. In the eighties and nineties, when her children were in school, Judy worked with her mother as a contract mail carrier. In 2023, Judy was moved to Vista Prairie, the memory care unit at Fieldcrest in Sheldon, after being diagnosed with Vascular Dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Judy was a member of the First Reformed Church in Hospers, where she participated in the Lydia Circle and the Women’s Guild. She enjoyed doing things for others and her house was a place where the neighborhood kids gathered. Whether it was to shoot hoops, ride Hot Wheels, or play Ghost in the Graveyard, Judy loved having kids around playing and having fun. As a mom and grandma, it brought her great joy to watch her children and grandchildren participate in their various activities. She also enjoyed going camping, taking bus trips with Johnnie, having coffee with friends, reading, playing cards, and running the concession stand.
Survivors include her husband of more than sixty years, Johnnie, of Sanborn; 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; and Max and Elli Carney; seven great-grandchildren, Stella and Holland Patel; Evelyn and Weston Solsma; Graham and Avery Snyder; and Harper Solsma; a brother and his wife, Dale and Vicki Kramer; a sister, Luann Kramer; Johnnie’s siblings and their spouses, Virgil and Pam Solsma; and Joyce and Warren “Bud” Mouw; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and Johnnie’s parents, John and Agnes Solsma, she was preceded in death by a brother and his wife, Fred and Bonnie Kramer; Johnnie’s sisters, Margene and Betty Jean; his brother and his wife, Richard and Gertrude Solsma; and a nephew, Donny Solsma.
Memorials will be given to Project Rehema Ministries in Sioux City and the Sack Pack Program in Orange City.
You are invited to leave a message of condolence, print a memorial folder, watch a tribute video, and participate in the service via livestream at www.oolman.com.
