SEBIA MARIE (GILMAN) GUNNINK arrived January 25, 1916, in Edgerton to her parents, Allan and Mary Gilman. Sebia attended Edgerton Christian School and Edgerton Public High School.  Following high school graduation and normal school training she taught in rural schools for 6 years before marrying Gerrit H. Gunnink on June 6, 1941. The couple moved to Gerrit’s grandmother’s farm near Boyden, Iowa. Their daughter, Sylvia, was born June 7, 1942.

In 1946, the family returned to Minnesota, purchasing a farm near Leota. Their son, James, was born October 21, 1949 and his parents soon realized that Jim had special needs. In 1958, Jim moved to Owatonna, MN to attend school for children with special needs. From 1958 until 2000 when Gerrit died, Jim’s parents visited him at least once each month.

In 1961, Sebia began teaching at the Leota Public School where she taught for 9 years until the school consolidated with Edgerton Public Schools. Following Sebia’s retirement, Gerrit and Sebia volunteered at Reformed Church missions in Annville, KY and Brewton, AL. In 1983, the couple moved to Edgerton and Sebia lived in their home until 2005 when she moved to Edgebrook Estates Assisted Living. When her health declined, she moved to Edgebrook Care Center in 2011.

Sebia and Gerrit were active members at Bethel Reformed Church, Leota, and First Reformed Church, Edgerton.  Sebia served as president of Reformed Church Women in both Leota and Edgerton. She served as Classis Representative to General Synod and the national Women’s Board. She also served as a Sunday School teacher for many years. Sebia loved her “handwork” – tatting, knitting, hardanger, crocheting, embroidery. She never stopped working the daily crossword puzzle, and she was always reading a book.

Retired, her daughter Sylvia and husband John live in Indianola, Iowa. Her son, Jim, lives in at group home in Willmar, MN. Her grandson, Nathan, and his wife, Andrea, live in Johnston, IA with their 2 sons, Adam and Ben. Her grandson, Evan, and his fiancé, Jennifer Hall, live in Grimes, IA. Sebia is also survived by 2 sister-in-laws, Samona Gilman and Emma Gilman, plus numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gerrit, her parents, Allan and Mary Gilman, 2 sisters, Cornelia Schelhaas and Hermina Fey,
2 brothers, Edward Gilman and Peter Gilman.