Memorial services for Willard Nieuwsma, 85, of Pollock, will be at 2:00 pm, Monday, June 29, 2026, at Pollock Memorial Presbyterian Church in Pollock. Burial will take place at Hull Cemetery in Hull, North Dakota. Willard passed away, Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at the Good Samaritan Care Center in Howard, South Dakota.

Willard Gene Nieuwsma was born on November 22, 1940, in Emmons County, North Dakota, the third child of William and Bertha Nieuwsma. He was raised south of Hull, North Dakota on the family farm. Willard passed away on June 17, 2026, in Howard, South Dakota, with his son Shane by his side.

He attended country school through the eighth grade. He was a man of strong work ethic and many talents. Throughout his lifetime, Willard worked in several occupations, including milk truck driver for the cheese plant, bulk gas truck driver, cattle broker, and farmer. He took pride in an honest day’s work and in providing for his family.

On December 20, 1961, Willard married the love of his life, Sylvia Vander Vorst at Sylvia’s parents’ home northwest of Westfield, North Dakota. Together they built a beautiful life filled with love, laughter, and a deep commitment to family, faith, and the land.

Willard is survived by his son, Shane Nieuwsma, and daughter-in-law, Amanda Nieuwsma-Longie, daughter-in-law Shanna (Mansfield) Nieuwsma of Kittredge, Colorado. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Troy’s children, Christopher and Ryan Goehring, Dakota, Aranya, and Tanner Nieuwsma; and Shane’s children, Chesney Rae Tillemans, Jaxsen, and Colsen Nieuwsma. Willard is survived by his sisters, Helen Huizenga of Edmonds, Washington, Lavonne and Jim Rossow of Buffalo, Wyoming, and Vivian Vander Vorst of Waukee, Iowa; brothers-in-law, Herb Neukircher of Arizona; and sisters-in-law, Gracey Nieuwsma of Pollock, South Dakota, Sandy Geffre of Strasburg, ND, and Lorraine Nieuwsma of Sioux Center, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Sylvia; daughter, Natalie; son, Troy; and parents, William and Bertha Nieuwsma. Willard was also preceded in death by his brothers, Franklin of Pollock and Edwin of Sioux Center, Iowa; sisters, Carol Crawford-Neukircher and Gladys Dornbush-Seymour; and brothers-in-law, Lowell Seymour, Harlan Dornbush, Bob Crawford, Curt Vander Vorst, and Bob Huizenga.