Theodore Adema
Posted 5/31/01

Funeral services for Theodore John Adema, 76, were scheduled Wednesday, May 30, at the First Baptist Church in Milaca with the Rev. Joel Severson officiating.

Burial was at Forest Hill Cemetery in Milaca. Music was provided by Anne Carlson, LeAnn Hakes and Lisa Hakes. Military honors were provided by Hansen-Hayes American Legion Post 178 and Milaca VFW Post 10794. Pallbearers were Lary Knochenmus, Lyle Knochenmus, Ruston Monroe, Melissa Adema, Kyle Monroe and Jeremiah Tix. Honorary pallbearers were Aliska Adema, Timmy Adema, Brandon Tix and Kristopher Adema.

Arrangements were by the Peterson-Johnson Funeral Home in Milaca.

Mr. Adema died Friday, May 25, 2001 at the Milaca Elim Home.

He was born Feb. 21, 1925 to Sam and Tillie (Dykstra) Adema in Pease. He grew up in the Pease area. In 1944, he entered the U.S. Army, where he spent about two years in Italy. When he returned to Milaca, he drove truck for Don Patnode and Carl Puckett. On March 20, 1949, he married Delores Knochenmus in Milaca. He owned and operated Tedís New and Used Steel, which later became Ademaís Steel, located two miles south of Milaca. Ted and Delores also owned the Dutch Mill Cafe in Pease for two years. His main hobby was race cars, which he sponsored for many years. He also loved traveling with his family on trips to Florida, Washington state, Washington, D.C., Colorado, South Dakota, Arizona and Alaska. Ted and Delores also went on several bus tours, which he really enjoyed. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Milaca.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Delores of Milaca; children, Darlene and husband Jim Monroe of Princeton, Judy and husband Curt Belair of Milaca, Tim and wife Robin Adema of Fayetteville, N.C., and Nancy and husband Steve Tix of Grand Rapids, Minn.; eight grandchildren, Rusty Monroe, Melissa Adema, Kyle Monroe, Jeremiah Tix, Aliska Adema, Timmy Adema, Brandon Tix and Kristopher Adema; four great-grandchildren, Mackenzie Monroe, Coltin Monroe, Austin Monroe and Faith Monroe; siblings, Katy Cook of Lynden, Wash., Alice Slater of Milaca, John Adema of Sun City, Ariz., Jake Adema of Mesa, Ariz., Cordella Adema of St. Paul, and Ethel Hakes of Milaca; and by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother; one sister; and one granddaughter.