Dean Braaksma

Dean Braaksma, 77, of Oskaloosa, passed away Friday, August 15, 2025, at the University of Iowa Hospitals in Iowa City. Dean A. Braaksma, son of Cornelius “Carl” and Katherine (Smedema) Braaksma, was born September 25, 1947, in Denver, Colorado. The family moved to Oskaloosa when Dean was a small child. He attended the Oskaloosa Christian School through eighth grade and then Oskaloosa High School, where he was a 1965 graduate. Dean enlisted in the Army in 1967 and was sent to Vietnam; he served until 1968 and then returned home. He began working as a carpenter and founded Braaksma Construction, which specialized in building and remodeling homes. On August 22, 1970, at Central Reformed Church, Dean was united in marriage to Judi Hardeman, a young lady from his church. In 1978, Dean resumed his education at William Penn College and earned his BA in Industrial Arts in 1992. He taught for a year at Knoxville High School before beginning his career at Oskaloosa High School. Through the years, he taught, mentored, inspired, and prepared many of Oskaloosa’s finest tradespeople. He retired in 2001. Family was always first and foremost in Dean’s life and thoughts. He loved taking them to Wisconsin fishing trips and on camping vacations. Yearly Adventureland trips were also a highlight of the summer for the family. He built his children a backyard swimming pool and even extended the season one year by constructing a greenhouse over it. There wasn’t anything Dean couldn’t build or fix – his home had many additions and was filled with items he created. Dean loved to learn and was always teaching himself new hobbies. Dean’s extended family was very important to him, and he admired and cared for his in-laws and truly felt like a brother to each of Judi’s siblings. Dean also cherished his coffee group buddies from Tasos, where they started their days and solved the world’s problems. He was a member of the Central Church and the American Legion. His family includes his daughters, Angelisa (Chris) Fynaardt and Jennifer Norgaila; three grandsons: Andrew and Luke Fynaardt and Finley Norgaila; and a brother, Gary Braaksma, all of Oskaloosa. His wife’s siblings also survive him: Mary Ostrem, Carole (Jim) Harvey, Kathy (Lowell) Engelhoven, all of Oskaloosa; Kris (John) Korte of Westerly, RI, and Rick (Traci) Hardeman of Park View, IA; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents and his wife’s parents, he was preceded by his wife, Judi, on June 19, 2017; a sister, Marianne Braaksma; a brother, Tony Braaksma; and a nephew, Aaron Ostrem. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at Central Church in Oskaloosa with Rev. Jonathan Spronk of the First Christian Reformed Church officiating. Burial will be in Forest Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m., Monday, at Langkamp Funeral Chapel; the family will greet visitors from 4-6 p.m. Memorial contributions can be made to the Harry L. Anderson American Legion Post #34 or to the Pella Christian Clay Target Team.

Dean Braaksma

September 25, 1947 - August 15, 2025