Phillip Gerald Tjeerdsma, 91, of Springfield

Funeral services are 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at the Emmanuel Reformed Church in Springfield. Burial is in the Emmanuel Cemetery, rural Springfield, with military honors. Visitation will be the hour prior to services at the church on Tuesday. The service will be live streamed on the Emmanuel Reformed Church, Springfield, SD Youtube page.

Memorials would be preferred in lieu of flowers, to be directed at a later date.

Phillip Gerald Tjeerdsma was born in rural Springfield on June 7, 1933, the son of Peter and Annie (Odens) Tjeerdsma.  He died Saturday, April 26, 2025 at the Good Samaritan Society in Tyndall.

Gerald attended country school through the 8th grade. He served in the US Army during the Korean War.

Gerald was united in marriage to Betty Dykman in Springfield. After his service in the Army, he moved back to the Springfield area, where he worked for  various farmers and farmed with his dad until eventually farming on his own. Gerald retired and moved into Springfield in the 1980's. He had a great love for his horses and he kept them up until this past year. They were then able to stay in the family when he distributed them amongst family members. During retirement, Gerald loved going on horse drawn wagon trains in Minnesota, the Yankton to Pierre wagon train and also in the Black Hills. He had his own team of spotted miniature horses that he used on the wagon train.

Gerald will be remembered for attending his grandkid's sporting events, his love for his horses, his sense of humor and telling stories. He enjoyed his daily coffee buddies at the Elevator.

Gerald was a member of the Emmanuel Reformed Church and the Dwight Wood American Legion Post #132 of Springfield. He was the oldest member of the AMHR (American Miniature Horse Registry).

Thankful for having shared his life are his wife Betty, of Springfield; four children: Jerry (Lynette) Tjeerdsma of Springfield and their two children: Bobbi Tjeerdsma and Kyle (Jamie) Tjeerdsma; Stan Tjeerdsma of Avon and his two children: Travis (Hillary) Tjeerdsma and Kaycie (Dennis) Klimisch; Leland (Kelly) Tjeerdsma of Avon and their two sons: James Tjeerdsma and Matthew (Andrea) Tjeerdsma; and Darlene (Ken) Hauck of Avon and their two children: Kendra (Devon) Russell and Ryan (Molly) Hauck; 16 great grandchildren; sister, Bernice (Elmer) Tolsma of Avon; and several nieces and nephews.

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, daughter-in-law, Brenda Tjeerdsma; brother, Oscar Tjeerdsma and sisters-in-law, Lela and Ilena Tjeerdsma; and sister, Arlene (Sid) Bierema.