Wilbert Meinders

Wilbert Meinders, 95, of Buffalo Center passed away Friday, September 6, 2024, at Timely Mission Nursing Home in Buffalo Center. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at Ramsey Reformed Church, rural Titonka. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral service at the church. Burial will take place after the luncheon at Olena Mound Cemetery in Buffalo Center.

Wilbert Meinders was born on April 12, 1929, on the family farm in German Township, Kossuth County, to Henry and Nellie (Riekens) Meinders. He attended German #1 country school with three in his class and twelve other students. Wilbert witnessed electricity coming to the area in 1941-1942 as he watched the poles go up on his walk to his country school. He was baptized and confirmed at Ramsey Reformed Church located in rural Titonka.

Growing up on the family farm, he helped his dad with the family chores. His first summer job was when he was 16 years old. He was shocking and thrashing oats. He also would help the neighbors. He earned $1.25 an hour. In later years, he worked for the neighbors at $120 a month for several years. Wilbert's first car at the age of 21 was a brand new 1950 Plymouth Special Deluxe Sedan which he purchased for $1,675.

Wilbert was drafted into the US Army during the Korean War in 1951, serving with the 25th Infantry Division Service Company in both North and South Korea and earning CIB (Combat Infantry Badge) with two overseas bars. He also received the following awards and decorations: Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars, United Nations Service Medal, and Commendation Ribbon with Medal Pendant. He was honorably discharged in 1959, after spending six years in the Army Reserves. He has been a member of the American Legion for over 60 years and served in the Honor Guard for some time.

Wilbert married Gertrude Harms on February 5, 1957, at Ramsey Reformed Church with the Rev. William Kroon officiating. They began their married life farming northeast of Ramsey Reformed Church in German Township, Section 11, in Kossuth County. They were blessed with five children: Gary Alan, Gary's twin Gale Ann, Dale Lee, Janet Joy, and Bruce Lynn.

His first tractor was an M Farmall 1944 model and a John Deere A 1946 model. Wilbert and Gert enjoyed farming on their Century Farm near Buffalo Center, taking care of cattle, hogs, and chickens, along with planting corn and soybeans and harvesting in the fall. They celebrated as a Century Farm in 2002.

Wilbert and Gert moved into a home they built in south Buffalo Center in 1998 and have spent winters in southern Texas, near McAllen for over 25 years. In the summer they loved to travel and have enjoyed trips to Alaska, Canada, New York, Washington D.C., Colorado, and Florida. For several years they enjoyed square dancing with the Rake Rocking R's. Gert and Wilbert would also deliver Winnebago campers to various places from coast to coast.

He was an active and a lifelong member of Ramsey Reformed Church, where he served on various boards, was an Elder-Deacon, and a Sunday school treasurer. He also served on the board of the Buffalo Center Cooperative Oil Company for many years.

Wilbert is survived by his wife, Gertrude of 67 years; sons, Gary (Sherill) Meinders, Dale Meinders, and Bruce (Stacie) Meinders; 11 grandchildren, Erin (Tom) Scheidnes, Scott (Signe), Zachary (Macie), Jake (Brittany), Hunter and Hayden Meinders, Megan (Jake) Meyer, Allison (Reed) Baillargeon, Ava, Ben, and Will Meinders; 11 great-grandchildren, Rae, Baily, and Tess Scheidnes, Francis, Iris, Tenely, Dirk, Ellis, Hadley, and Mason Meinders, and Collins Meyers. He is also survived by son-in-law, Jim Dyslin; brothers-in-law, Harlan (Pam) Harms, Jerald (Lorraine) Harms; and sister-in-law, Ardith Fisher. Wilbert also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.

Wilbert is preceded in death by his daughters Gail Ann Meinders (1957) and Janet Joy Dyslin (2013); his parents, Henry, and Nellie Meinders; brothers, Dick, Alvin, and Jim Meinders; sisters, Marie Nuehring and Iola Steffensen; parents-in-law, Carl and Harmka Harms; and sister-in-law, Lois (Patrick) Welch.