John G. Vis

     John Gysbert Vis was born March 22, 1930 to Peter and Alice (Groen) Vis Sr, at their home south of Chandler.  At age one, John and his family moved near Leota.  He went to the Leota Christian School until March of 1942 when the family moved to the home place south of Chandler.  John graduated from 8th grade in country school District 83 in May of 1943.  

     On September 10, 1950 John married Nelvina Pearl Lolkus in Chandler. They farmed together and in March of 1955 they bought the farm 2 ½ miles northwest of Chandler, where they lived for 51 years.  They had a farm sale on December 10, 2005, and on January 2, 2006, they moved into Chandler.  On November 23, 2006, Nelvina passed away at home. 

     On August 24, 2007, John married Genevieve Sankey. They continued to live in Chandler.   

     John’s love of farming showed as this was his life’s passion.  He milked for 52 years, fed cattle, trucked at night for Sankey’s Trucking for 21 years.  He butchered for a local locker, then he and his neighbors had their own butcher shop for 30 years.  He also served on the board of his church, Chandler Christian School, served on the Chanarambie Township for 23 years, and the Chandler Funeral Association Board assisting with funerals and was Secretary-Treasurer for 35 years. 

     John passed away on July 22, 2020 at Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD.   He is survived by his wife, Genevieve, two daughters, Char De Groot of Luverne, MN and Marilyn (Lloyd) De Boer, Beaver Creek, MN, son-in-law, Lyle De Boer, Beaver Creek; step-children Glenda (Greg) Teunissen, Denver, CO, and Don (Deb) Buys, Chandler; 9 Grandchildren, Michael Hart, Scott Hart, Paul DeBoer, Andrea Hart, Darcie DeBoer, Kristy Trower, Lyle DeBoer, Jr., Darin DeBoer and Devin DeBoer; 4 step-grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; brothers: Peter Jr, Allen "Bud", Alvin, Roger and Richard James "Jim"; and 2 sisters, Henrietta Bruxvoort and Janice Veldhuizen.  He was preceded in death by his first wife, Nelvina, daughters Darlene Vis and Carolyn DeBoer; son-in-law Larry De Groot; brother, Fred; sister Jeanette; and granddaughter-in-law, Amber DeBoer.  

My thanks to two wonderful Christian partners I have been blessed to have had, and to one-of-a-kind daughters and their families.  Thanks to family, friends and the old neighborhood.  Love you all! 

In Christ’s love, Dad and husband, 

John G. Vis 

 Private Family Services will be held at a later date.  

Chandler Funeral Association is assisting the family with arrangements. Send condolences online at www.chandlerfa.com. 

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