Gilbert Visser

Reverend Gilbert Visser, 94, of Oskaloosa, passed away Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at the Cottages in Pella, Iowa. Gilbert LeRoy Visser, son of Harold and Nellie Bain Visser, was born September 11, 1930, at the rural home of his parents near Eveland Access in Mahaska County, Iowa. He attended the Riverside Country School. He was a 1948 graduate of Oskaloosa High School and then attended Central College. While in school, he married his sweetheart, Mildred Arlene Klaaren, on October 12, 1951, in Eddyville. After completing his college degree, he and Millie headed to Holland, Michigan, where he enrolled in Western Theological Seminary. Throughout his studies there, they lived in Conklin, MI, and Gilbert pastored the Conklin Reformed Church. Over the years, Gilbert ministered to congregations in Platte, SD, Yankton, SD, Worthington, MN, Lincoln, NE, Arlington, TX, and Peoria, IL, before retiring to Oskaloosa, where he served as interim pastor and visiting pastor to the Central Reformed Church in Oskaloosa and the Covenant Reformed Church in Newton. Gilbert was loved by the congregations that he led. He had a faithful servant's heart, full of genuine love and caring for all he encountered. Gilbert enjoyed keeping busy and creative; for many years, he and Millie had a pottery hobby that took them to many craft fairs throughout Iowa. He always maintained a large garden and loved to go fishing with friends and family. When his children were still at home, the family enjoyed many camping excursions exploring the countryside together. During the winter months, Gilbert enjoyed catching up on his reading and jigsaw puzzles. Gilbert's family includes his children: Joyce Eileen Spurr of Pella, IA, Brent (Renae) Ranier Visser of Andover, MN, and Steven (Sari) Carl Visser of West Lafayette, IN. He was blessed with seven grandchildren: Christopher (Nina) Spurr of Ruidoso, NM, Lisa (Kara Morgan-Tench) Spurr of West Des Moines, IA, Kristy Visser (Daniel Kisrow) of Circle Pines, MN, Nicole' (Justin) Densborn of Logansport, IN, Nadia (Kyle) Sigo of West Chester, OH, Kelsey (Grant) Brinkmeyer of Eden Prairie, MN, and Alexander (Rebecah Gray) Visser of Thorntown, IN; 13 great-grandchildren: Isaac Spurr, Elliot and Benjamin Kisrow, Lila and Ellie Densborn, Noa Brinkmeyer, Finn and Kai Sigo, and Fletcher Visser, Lucas and Sabrina Kimble, and Keaton and Kylie "Tobi" Tench; and a brother, Merle (Pat) Visser of Grayson, GA. In addition to his parents and his wife, Mildred of 64 years, Gilbert was preceded in death by infant twin daughters, an infant son, and three brothers: Robert (Beverly), Melvin (Marla and Carol), and Donald (Dorothy) Visser. Funeral Services celebrating Gilbert's life will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, August 9, 2025, at Central Church in Oskaloosa with Rev. Jon Nelson officiating. Burial will be in Forest Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m., Friday, at Langkamp Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa; the family will greet visitors from 4-6 p.m. Memorials can be made to Central Church in Oskaloosa.