Robert Braaksma, 90 formerly of Lynnville and rural New Sharon passed away Sunday morning, January 10, 2016 at St. Francis Manor in Grinnell. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 am on Thursday, January 14, 2016 at the Lynnville Friends Church. Burial will be held in the Woodland Cemetery in Lynnville. Visitation begins after 12:00 pm Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at the Holland-Coble Funeral Home in Montezuma with the family present from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Grinnell Regional Hospice.

Robert "Bob" Braaksma, the son of John and Carrie (Van Wyk) Braaksma, was born the eldest of 10 children on July 1, 1925 in rural Sully, Iowa. He attended country school in the Lynnville area. On January 7, 1947, Bob was united in marriage to Jennett Williams at her home in rural Taintor. To this union three boys were born, Gene, Curtis and Ron. Bob worked as a farmhand before purchasing land from his father-in-law farming 40 years. Bob also worked several years at the Searsboro elevator. Jennett passed away February 11, 1994. He then was married to JoAnn DeHoedt and she passed away November 9, 2014. Bob enjoyed dancing, camping, attending flea markets, coffee time and spending time with his family. He was also an avid hunter and fisherman, taking several fishing trips to Canada. Bob was a member of the Lynnville Friends Church. He was on the Lynnville Telephone Board, the Poweshiek County Fair Board and was a Swine Supervisor.

His memory will be honored by his children, Gene Braaksma, Curtis (Jann) Braaksma and Ron Braaksma all of Lynnville; step children, Dale (Debbie) DeHoedt, Dean (Dodie) DeHoedt and Diane DeHoedt; four grandchildren, Todd (Toni) Braaksma, Christine (Jason) Forret, Lesley (Steve) Beerends and Maren Braaksma; six great grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; a brother, Larry Braaksma of Newton; two sisters: Frances Enyart of Georgia and Leona Nielsen of Chariton.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; two wives, Jennett Braaksma and JoAnn Braaksma; a grandson, Ryan Braaksma; brothers, Gysbert "Bud" Braaksma, Carroll "Butch" Braaksma, Louis Braaksma and Wayne Braaksma and two sisters, Viola Mae and Gertrude Hites.