Pieter H. Sigtermans

Pieter H. Sigtermans, age 86 of Hastings, died Thursday morning, July 1, 2021, at Regina Medical Center in Hastings. Pieter was born in New York City in 1935, the eldest son of German and Dutch immigrants. After graduating from high school, Pete joined the Air Force which stationed him at a Norad base in Beausejour, Manitoba, where he met the love of his life, Kathleen (Kay). After an honorable discharge in 1956, Pete and Kay moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma where Pete studied aircraft maintenance and learned to be a flight engineer at Spartan School of Aeronautics. Pete went on to get a job with Northwest Airlines in 1959 where he continued working until his retirement in 1997. Over the course of his career, he developed many tools that were patented through the company. Pete was an avid outdoorsman, international traveler, National Hot Rod Association card holder, BMW motorcycle enthusiast, aviation fanatic who logged nearly 500 hours on a Cessna 140, and a ham radio operator (N0FKC). He was a general all-around machinist-craftsman capable of building anything he wanted… like that 26 foot steel-hulled houseboat he built in his back yard, and a forest of various radio antennas. He will be remembered for his pipe smoking, willingness to help others, dark humor and stubbornness. Pieter was preceded in death by his wife Kay, his father Joseph Sigtermans, his mother Helen Sigtermans (Kroog), brothers Frank and Gerard, and in-laws Barbara, Harold and Fred. He is survived by sister Jeanne, son Walter Sigtermans (Marlien), daughter Sara Wittgenstein (Vic III), sisters-in-law Carole and Lynda and his grandkids; Louis, Nadine, Renee, Victor IV, Gabrielle and Clara. Private family services will be held. Arrangements are being completed by Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings.