March 28, 2024

Dennis J. Herrema

Aug. 9, 2019

Dennis Jay Herrema, 72, of Monroe, passed away on Friday, Aug. 9, 2019 at Comfort House in Pella. Memorial services will be held on Thursday, Aug. 15 at 10 a.m. at the Newton Church of the Way in Newton. Visitation will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 14 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the same church in Newton.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Jasper County Habitat for Humanity, the DMACC Newton Campus Building Trades Program, orHospice of Pella (Comfort House).  Condolences may be left for the family at www.coburnfuneralhomes.com

The son of Martin and Dena (Noteboom) Herrema, Denny was born on June 13, 1947 in Artesia, Calif. He graduated from Valley Christian High School (Artesia) in 1965 and Central College (Pella) in 1969 with a degree in Physical Education. On June 14, 1969, he was married to Kathy Allen until 1995. Together they had two children — Jenny and David. On May 20, 2000, he married Pam Wilson. Denny taught and coached in the Monroe School District for a decade. He then started and taught the Building Trades Program at Newton High School until 1991. During this time he, along with students, built 11 homes and remodeled the train depot in Newton. After teaching, he moved on to being a full-time contractor (Herrema Construction) and loved building and remodeling his client's homes. He had a passion for the Jasper County Habitat for Humanity and sat on their Board of Directors while also building many of their homes over the years. Denny attended the Newton Church of the Way. He enjoyed sports, going to his Galena house, traveling to be with family, visiting with friends and working on his many projects.

Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Pam; two children, Jenny (Justin) Purcell and David (Kim) Herrema; two stepchildren, Eric Dykstra and Meghan (Keysto) Kelly; six grandchildren, Britney and Blake Samuelson, Olivia and Gavin Herrema and Kage and Brexton Kelly. Denny is also survived by three sisters, Shirley Watkins, Mary (Ray) Olson and Betty DeBoer. Preceding him in death were his father in 2001, a brother, Larry Herrema, a stepdaughter, Dana Samuelson and a sister, Diane Smith.