The family of Franklin P Nieuwsma of rural Hull ND is saddened to announce his passing on October 21, 2020, at the age of 83 years.

"Buddy" (to friends and family) was born August 30, 1937 to William F and Bertha (Droog) Nieuwsma. He attended country schools to grade 8. He graduated from Reisch American Auctioneering School, Mason City, Iowa on December 15, 1956.

He married Gracey (Vander Vorst) on August 16, 1961 at the Reformed Church, Westfield, ND. He was drafted September 7,1961 and was stationed in Germany and served with the US Army until 1963. After discharge he and his family lived in Mobridge, SD where he worked as a heavy equipment operator during the construction of Highway 12 east of Mobridge. He also worked as a carpenter.

In 1966 he moved his family to a farm Northwest of Hull, where they resided for 16 years. They then moved to the Nieuwsma Family farm where he still lived and participated in the family farm & ranch operation.

Franklin was a lifetime member of Hull Christian Reformed Church. He served several years as Elder on Church Council and Sunday School teacher and Superintendent. For several years he was a member of the Stasburg Fire Dept. District Board, he was also a local school bus driver.

Franklin will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 59 years, Gracey; children, Lee Nieuwsma (friend Cindy) and Cindy (Dennis) Drengson; grandchildren, Cole (Maggie) Nieuwsma, Calisa (Jay) Squires, Parker and Jackson Drengson; great-grandchild,  Micah Nieuwsma; brother, Willard Nieuwsma; Sisters, Helen Huizenga, LaVon (Jim) Rossow and Vivian (Curtis) Vander Vorst; Brothers-in-law, Arnold (Karen) Vander Vorst, Dale Vander Vorst, Roger Vander Vorst, Monte (Judy) Vander Vorst, Blake (Kathy) Vander Vorst, Lowell Seymour & Herb Neukircher; Sisters-in-law, Sandy Geffre, Lorraine Nieuwsma, Corrine Vander Vorst and a host of nieces and nephews.

Franklin is preceded in death by his parents, William F. & Bertha (Droog) Nieuwsma; Son, Kent Nieuwsma; Siblings, Edwin Nieuwsma, Gladys (Dornbush) Seymour and Carol (Crawford) Neukircher; In-laws, Sylvia Nieuwsma, Harlan Dornbush, Robert Huizenga, Robert Crawford, Billy Vander Vorst, Ernie Geffre, Polly Vander Vorst, Wilma Vander Vorst; Father & Mother in law- Ed C & Minnie Vander Vorst.