Eva Gertsema

Eva Gertsema, age 83, of Sioux Falls, SD, formerly of Milbank, SD, passed away on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 7, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. at Mundwiler Funeral Home in Milbank, SD. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Pastor Chris Davis will officiate the service and interment will be at Milbank City Cemetery.

Eva Mae (Burch) Gertsema was born on June 15, 1940, in Pipestone, MN, to Howard and Gladys (Quirk) Burch. She grew up in the Pipestone area and attended Boarding School there.

On November 14, 1964, Eva was united in marriage with Larry Wesley Gertsema at the First Presbyterian Church in Flandreau, SD. To this union, seven children were born. The family made their home in Milbank, SD, until 1998, when they moved to Watertown. Larry passed away in December of 1995. In 2020, Eva moved in with her daughter, Brenda, in Sioux Falls, SD.

Working for many years as a Certified Nursing Assistant, Eva held positions at St. William’s Home for the elderly, then worked at Prairie Lakes Care Center until her retirement.

Eva enjoyed being in the outdoors. In her younger years, she could be found fishing with her sister. Putting puzzles together was one of her favorite pastimes. Family was very important to her; all of her children had a special place in her heart. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were especially dear to her, she loved playing with them and watching them have fun.

Left to cherish Eva’s memory are her children: Gene (Kandy) Gertsema of Sioux Falls, SD; Dean (Carrie) Gertsema of Watertown, SD; Brenda (Doug) Claussen of Sioux Falls, SD; Willie (Tammy) Gertsema of Milbank, SD; Robert (Julie) Gertsema of Milbank, SD; Tony (Joy) Gertsema of Milbank, SD; and Nathan (Dawn) Gertsema of Watertown, SD; 21 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; brothers: Raymond (Kris) Burch of Ruthton, MN; Andy (Cindy) Burch of Slayton, MN; and Richard Burch of Pipestone, MN; sisters: Catherine Huizenga of Missouri; Judy (Roy) Buss of Luverne, MN; and Carol (Ken) Boomgaarden of Pipestone, MN; along with many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Larry Gertsema; and brothers: Jerry Burch, Darrold Burch, and LeRoy Burch.