Gerald G. Houtman, age 80, of Brookings, died Tuesday, April 24, 2012, at the Golden Living Center in Arlington. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Friday, April 27, 2012, at First United Methodist Church in Brookings, with interment at Trinity Cemetery at Volga. Visitations will be from 5-8 Thursday at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings. Gerald George Houtman was born February 21, 1932, at Volga, South Dakota, to Hessel and Charlotte (Vanden Berg) Houtman. He attended rural school in the Bruce area. He entered the U.S. Army on September 9, 1952, and was discharged August 18, 1954. He married Nancy Van Den Bosch at Volga on March 19, 1953. Five children were born to this marriage. Gerald farmed for three years in the Volga-Bruce area and was a member of the Christian Reformed Church of Volga, South Dakota. Nancy died May 11, 1977. He married Marlys (Goodroad) Dixon in 1981. They joined the First United Methodist Church of Brookings. Gerald worked as a carpenter for 40 years in the Brookings area. He was a Life Member of the V.F.W., in Brookings. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, working in his flower garden, and spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Survivors include his wife, Marlys, of Brookings; two sons: George (Ronda) Houtman of Brookings and Timothy (Kristi) Houtman of Brookings; two daughters: Nanette (Bob) Carr of Northfield, Minnesota, and Brenda (Gene) Volkers of Volga; two step-sons: Bruce (Carleen) Dixon of Brookings, and Dale (Cindy) Dixon of Aurora; a step-daughter, Sandra (Steve) Whitaker of Brookings; 11 grandchildren; 16 step-grandchildren; 47 great-grandchildren; two brothers: Wilbur (Delores) Houtman of Antigo, Wisconsin, and Charles (Karen) Houtman of Canby, Minnesota; two sisters: Dorothy (Elmer) Weisser of Brookings, and Hester (James) Jennings of Pipestone, Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his wife Nancy; an infant daughter; an infant grandson; an infant brother; two sisters; two brothers-in-law; and a step-son.