Clayton Vreeman, 86, of Clara City, died on Thursday, November 19th at Banner Baywood Medical Center in Mesa, AZ, from complications of COVID. There will be a visitation from 5-7 pm, Monday at Bethany Reformed Church in Clara City. Due to COVID concerns, social distancing and masks are encouraged and because of exposure concerns the family will not be present during the visitation. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Funeral arrangements are with Harvey Anderson Funeral Home.
Clayton Dale Vreeman was born January 29, 1934 in Sioux Center IA, the son of John and Julia (Hollander) Vreeman. He grew up and attended school in Sioux Center until they moved to Murdock MN at the age of 15. On November 10, 1955, Clayton was united in marriage to Inez Zimmer at Raymond Christian Reformed Church. Following their marriage, Clayton served two years in the United States Navy and lived in San Diego CA, where he was stationed. Upon his discharge, they moved to Raymond, MN, for a year, before settling in Clara City. In 1958 Clayton formed his excavating company, Vreeman Construction. His three sons took over the business in 1998 but he continued to help them whenever he could. His grandson, Sam Vreeman, joined the business in 2018. He was a member of the Bethany Reformed Church, where he served as a deacon, elder, and was involved in Pairs and Spares and many Bible studies. He was active with Land Improvement Contractors of America. Clayton enjoyed golf, playing cards, traveling, and being out in the sunshine. He loved to be with his family but his greatest love was for his Savior, Jesus Christ. Inez passed away in 2014 and continued to enjoy winters in Mesa. He married Elaine Kragt on March 19, 2016 in Mesa. They loved to travel, and enjoyed life together.
He is survived by his wife, Elaine; his children: Terry (and Laurie) Vreeman of Spicer, Rhonda (and Dan) Freiborg of Sacred Heart, Joel (and Sherri) Vreeman of Willmar, and Nathan (and Wendi) Vreeman of Willmar; 14 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren; Elaine's sons, Michael in Italy, Wayne, Warren and Kevin from Washington; and Elaine’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Also surviving are siblings: Fran TerWisscha of Lynden WA, Dorothy (Marty) Shockley of Willmar, Marvin (Ruby) Vreeman of Willmar, Joan Rens of Sioux Center IA, Marlys (Dale) VanderRiet of Mille Lacs and John (Linda) Vreeman of Osseo; sisters-in-law and brothers-in law, Evelyn Vreeman of Sioux Center IA, Jan Vreeman of Bellingham WA, Jim Zuidema of Willmar, Lester and Wilimine TerWisscha of Clara City and John and Janice Zimmer of Clara City. and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, Inez; grandchildren, Summer Vreeman and Jon Schroeder; brothers, Gerald and Dennis, sister, Gladys, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Bruno and Grace Asche, Harry and Marilynne Zimmer, Gerald TerWisscha, Harvey Slagter, and Bill Rens.
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