Gerard Keizer

Celebration of life services for Gerard Keizer, 84, Lawrence, will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Warren-McElwain Mortuary. Mr. Keizer died Monday, Dec. 29, 2008, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.He was born Oct. 7, 1924, in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, the son of Kornelis Keizer and Hendrika Goethart.At age 17, Mr. Keizer was held as a prisoner of war at a work camp in Germany. As a member of the Royal Dutch Army, he was assigned to duty in Jakarta, Indonesia, where he met and married his wife, Netty, in 1947. After the war, he worked as a plantation manager for British Petroleum in Indonesia. Upon returning to the Netherlands, he was employed by Fokker Aircraft in the parts department. He worked as parts manager for Jim Clark Motors for 35 years after immigrating to the United States and Lawrence in 1957.Mr. Keizer was a member of the Lone Star Church of the Brethren. He served as a volunteer to M2W2 Prison Ministries. He was a member of the Kansas City Orchid Society. He enjoyed art, music, stamp collecting and animals.Survivors include his wife, Netty, of the home; his children, Erik and Patty Keizer, Denver, Ferry Keizer and Caroline Grootes, Lawrence, Clair Keizer and Terry Levine, Overland Park, and Ingrid Keizer Wilson and Andrew Wilson, Blue Springs, Mo.; and 12 grandchildren, Jason and Bryce Schroeder, Corey Keizer, Margot Zigmont, Adam Keizer Marcinkowski, Sonia Keizer, Emily Keizer, Sydney Keizer, Nina Keizer, Patrick Keizer, Olivia Wilson and Elias Wilson. In the Netherlands, survivors include his siblings, Jantine Keizer, Louise Grootes, Corrie Rijken, Jan Keizer and Elisabeth Keizer. His brother Roelof preceded him in death.The family will greet friends directly following the memorial service for coffee and sharing of memories.The family suggests memorials to the Lawrence Humane Society or Headquarters Counseling Center, sent in care of the mortuary.Online condolences may be sent at warrenmcelwain .com, subject: Keizer.