Monica Rae Palsma

Monica Palsma, age 61, of South Sioux City, Nebraska, passed away on Sunday, April 13th, 2025, at a Sioux City, Iowa hospital. A Celebration of Life Service will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 18, 2025 at the First Evangelical Free Church, 401 9th Street, Sioux City, Iowa with Pastor Kevin Miller officiating. Refreshments will follow. Visitation, with family present, will be on Thursday, April 17th from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service beginning at 7:00 p.m. all at the church. Interment will be at a later date. Memorials may be directed to June E. Nylen Cancer Center, 230 Nebraska St., Sioux City, IA 51101 or First Evangelical Free Church, 401 9th St., Sioux City, IA 51101. Mohr & Becker-Hunt Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Monica Rae Schmierer, daughter of Rev. Alvin and Violet (Naasz) Schmierer, was born June 9th, 1963, in Bowdle, South Dakota. She graduated from Bowdle High School in 1981, where she was crowned homecoming queen. She attended Presentation College and Stewart’s School of Hairstyling. Monica married Byron Palsma on July 27th, 1985, in Aberdeen, South Dakota. They were blessed with five children.

Monica was a cosmetologist for a number of years in Vermillion, South Dakota, before becoming a stay-at-home mom. In 1993, the family moved to South Sioux City. In her later years, she worked at Pacific City Graphics and Artisan Press.

Monica played organ and piano for the First Evangelical Free Church, where she was a member for nearly 30 years. Monica enjoyed spending time with her family and was adored by her two grandchildren. She loved gardening, interior decorating, and caring for all her animals. Monica will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, and grandma.

Monica is survived by Byron, her husband of nearly 40 years; their five children - Hillary (Matthew) Burival of O’Neill, Nebraska; Riley Palsma of Cheyenne, Wyoming; Graham Palsma of Omaha, Nebraska; Avery Palsma, and Emerson Palsma of South Sioux City; her two grandchildren - Creighton and Truett Burival; her sister Karen (Dan) Klein of Cumming, Iowa; her brother Joel (Shelly) Schmierer of Johnson Siding, South Dakota; and several nieces and nephews.

Monica was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Mark.