Gerben Roukema, 80

Gerben passed away Dec. 11, 2023, at Kootenai Health after an accident at home. He was born in Bellflower, Calif., on July 30, 1943, to Ed and Angeline Roukema and was one of seven children. 

Gerben married Linda in Norwalk, Calif., on July 24, 1972. They moved to Hayden, Idaho, in 1977, with their children, where he resided for the remainder of his life. Gerben started working for Inland Asphalt in 1978 and retired in 2001. 

He is survived by his wife, Linda; his children, Rick (Paula) Roukema and Jennifer (Lionel) Roberts; his grandchildren, Mallory (Stephan) Nylander, Amy (Tyler) Rice, Jonathan (Kaleigh) Roberts, Joshua Roberts and Jenna "Brown Sugar" Roberts; and great-granddaughter Annalie Nylander.

He was a big man with a big heart and will be greatly missed.

A memorial reception will be held Jan. 6, 2024, from 1 to 4 p.m. at their residence. You may visit his online tribute at yatesfuneralhome.com.