Jacob “Jake” Rietsema, 84, of Waseca and Harlingen, Texas, passed away Monday, Nov. 12, 2018. 

Jacob was born Nov. 20, 1933, to Roger and Aleida (Bosscher) Rietsema in Oldehove, Netherlands. He and his family immigrated to the United States on March 12, 1948.

Jake had grown up in a farm family and he followed that tradition, owning and farming land in Minnesota most of his adult life.  Jake was also employed at Farmstead for 40 years, retiring in May 1977.

Jake loved the outdoors and enjoyed his yearly fishing trips to Canada. He loved being on the water and took many cruises so he could be out on the ocean. He always had a passion for farming, so spending his retirement winters in Harlingen enabled him to stay close to farm fields and crop production.

Jake is survived by his wife of 36 years, Martha; daughters Phyllis (Kim) Brostad, Rhonda (James) Wachlin and Jacqueline (Charles) Koziolek; stepson, Scott (Natalie) Carroll; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and siblings Bert (Betty) Rietsema and Judy (Peter) Van Meekeren. 

He is preceded in death by his parents; sisters Alice, Ann and Patty; and brother, Albert.

Funeral services for Jake will be 11 a.m. Nov. 24 at Crane Community Chapel, 1111 Ninth St. NE in Austin. Family members will be available at the chapel for visitation time one hour prior to the service.