- Date Of Birth: December 28, 1932
- Date Of Death: August 31, 2021
- State: Iowa
Johannes “Joe” Schutte was born December 28, 1932, to Albertus and Petronella (Van Harten) Schutte, in Zuidlaren, Drente, The Netherlands. Joe grew up there and survived the German occupation. With little future prospects in his homeland, he immigrated, via the ship Nieuw Amsterdam II, to the United States on December 20, 1950, at the age of 17. He first settled with his aunt and uncle on a farm near Tracy, Iowa. Joe then worked in Michigan before he became a U.S. citizen, and was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1953. He was stationed in Germany and was honorably discharged in 1955.
On August 24, 1956, he was united in marriage to Shirley L. Vande Lune, at her parents’ home where they live today. They just celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary a week ago. To this union they were blessed with three children: Sue, Jeff, and Stephanie.
Joe worked for Pella Corp./Rolscreen for 42 years and “retired” in 1997. His passions were a meticulous yard, keeping informed on the news, and supporting family. He was happy whether it was a newspaper or a book in hand. An avid traveler, he spent winters in New Zealand and Australia where he did hiking, kayaking, fishing, and other firsts with family and friends.
Opa was adored by his grandkids!
Joe helped Shirley with quilting, and he supported the quality of Shirley’s work laying out quilts and being her helper. His quality control experience from Pella Corp definitely carried over to helping Shirley!
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife Shirley, and their family:
Sue and Gary Bottema of Chandler, Arizona
Jon Bottema of Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Michelle Bottema of Auckland, New Zealand
Jeff and Tamie (Bingham) Schutte of Harvey, Iowa
Joseph Schutte of Des Moines, Iowa
Joe and Sarah (Schutte) Cerwinski of Perry, Iowa
Stephanie and Brett Nossaman of Pella, Iowa
Hunter Nossaman of West Des Moines, Iowa
Kenzie Nossaman of West Des Moines, Iowa
Joe is also survived by two sisters who live in the Netherlands: Ali Enter and Jannie Schutte; and one brother, Jaap Schutte.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents Albertus and Petronella Schutte, three brothers, two sisters-in-law, and one brother-in-law in the Netherlands. Additionally, his parents-in-law William and Lena (Vander Wiel) Vande Lune, six brothers-in-law and five sisters-in-law.
