Dora Klarenbeek, 95, died Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at Whispering Heights, Rock Valley.
Memorial Service will be 11 am Saturday at Netherlands Reformed Congregation, Rock Valley.
Burial prior at Valley View Cemetery.
Rev. P.L. Bazen will be officiating.
Visitation with family 6-8 pm Friday at Porter Funeral Home, Rock Valley.
Memorials may be directed to Netherlands Reformed Christian School.
Dora was born January 24, 1917 at Sioux Center, Iowa, daughter of Teunis and Clazina (Meyers) Fluit. She married Ray Klarenbeek on January 24, 1940 on the homestead near Inwood. Together they farmed near Inwood until retiring and moving to Rock Valley in 1978. Ray died November 30, 1982. Dora was a Home Health Nurse Aid for many years and then helped with mending at Hegg Memorial until she was 93. She was dedicated in visiting the sick and elderly; enjoyed crocheting and gardening; lifetime member of Netherlands Reformed Congregation.
Survivors are daughters, Wilma Davelaar of Rock Valley, Carol (Arvin) Van Essen of Inwood; 7 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and step-grand and great-grandchildren; Klarenbeek in-laws. She was preceded in death by her husband Ray; son-in-law, Pete Davelaar; infant great-granddaughter, Crystal Dawn Rozeboom; step-great-granddaughter, Cindy Post; brothers and sisters.
Obituary & Photo is from The Porter Funeral Home
Dick was born September 13, 1919 in Lyon County, IA, son of Leendert and Willemina (Rozeboom) Klarenbeek. He married Anna Kiel August 30, 1940 at Alvord, IA. Together they farmed in the Alvord area. Anna died May 10, 1964. Dick married Lillian Buyert June 5, 1967 at Alvord. They farmed near Alvord until moving to Sioux Center, IA in 1969 where Dick worked for Sioux-Preme Packing until retiring in 1981. Dick was a member of the Netherlands Reformed Church including past Elder and Sunday School teacher for 14 years.
Dick was preceded in death by his first wife, Anna; parents, Leendert and Willemina; two brothers, Ray and William; brother-in-laws, William Koedam, John Den Besten. and Thomas Kooima.
Obituary from The Rock Valley Bee (9/1/1993)
Lillian (Buyert) Klarenbeek was born in Sioux County, Iowa, on March 12, 1925, to Nick and Hermina (Kempers) Buyert. She grew up on the family farm northwest of Sioux Center. She initially attended a nearby country school, continuing through the eighth grade at Sioux Center Christian School. As a young woman, she worked as a housekeeper.
She married Dick Klarenbeek on June 5, 1967. They made their home near Alvord, Iowa, for two years before settling in Sioux Center. Dick preceded her in death on Aug. 29, 1993. After his death, she lived independently in her home and most recently at Crown Pointe in Sioux Center. She was a member of the Netherlands Reformed Congregation of Sioux Center. Throughout her lifetime, she shared the beautiful crocheted and embroidered items she created. She loved spending time with her nieces and nephews and grandchildren.
In addition to her husband, she was also preceded in death by a son, Leonard Klarenbeek; a daughter and son-in-law, Sally and Jeffrey Eppinga; a grandson, Arlen Klarenbeek; her parents; two sisters, Hermina Vander Stoep and Lubertha Buyert; two brothers, Barney and Art Buyert; and a nephew, Gene Buyert.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to the Netherlands Reformed Christian School in Rock Valley, Iowa.
Obituary from The Sioux City Journal (12/15/2006)
Gertrude Koedam, 95, of Rock Valley, Iowa, died Monday, July 25, 2016 at Sanford USD
Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 28, 10:00 a.m. at First Christian Reformed
Church of Rock Valley with Rev. Matthew Haan officiating.
Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery of Rock Valley.
Visitation with family present will be held Wednesday, July 27, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at
First Christian Reformed Church of Rock Valley.
Condolences may be left for the family at www.porterfuneralhomes.com.
Gertrude was born November 30, 1920, south of Rock Rapids to Leonard and Wilhemina (Rozeboom) Klarenbeek, the third child of 11 children and the first daughter. She knew first hand about the country school as she attended 1st through 8th grade in a one-room schoolhouse. As the oldest daughter, she was a vital helper for her mother being the bread baker of the family. When Gertrude’s sister got older, they took over her jobs and she was able to leave home and work for other people in their homes.
Gertrude met her husband, Bill, through friends. Their friend/church groups would overlap sometimes and they would get to see each other. What attracted her to Bill was his easygoing nature. When Bill went into the Army, she wrote to him almost every day. When he returned home from the war in 1946, the two were married on February 20, 1946 in Alvord, Iowa and moved onto a farm in South Dakota. They moved many times to many different farms over the years. Being a farm wife meant there were many times her husband needed a hand with something, and sometimes he literally meant a hand that wasn’t as big as his. Gertrude had paid attention growing up helping her mother and therefore had become a great cook. That might even mean butchering a chicken for the dinner! She collected quite a number of cookbooks over the years and enjoyed looking through them and finding new things to prepare. Gertrude enjoyed visiting with family and friends and was a faithful member of the First Christian Reformed Church in Rock Valley. Bill passed away on January 14, 1981.
Gertrude is survived by her children, Merle (Ruth) Koedam, Alvord, Iowa; Vernon (Laura) Koedam, Alvord, Iowa; Shirley (Arnie) Van Voorst, Canton, South Dakota; Wes (Margie) Koedam, Alvord, Iowa; Gloria (Mike) Bomgaars, Inwood, Iowa; and Kenny (Amy) Koedam, Inwood, Iowa; 20 grandchildren, 40 great grandchildren, 1 great great grandchild. Surviving sisters are Jen (John) Keizer, Sheldon, Iowa; Liz (Gary) Dokter, Sioux Center, Iowa; Ann (Jim) Wielenga, Hull, Iowa; surviving brothers are Gerrit (Geneva) Klarenbeek, Rock Valley, Iowa; Clarence (MaryAnn) Klarenbeek, Rock Valley, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, brothers, Ray, Dick, Lane, and Bill, and sister Wilhemina.
Jennie Keizer Obituary
Mrs. Jennie Keizer, age 98, of Sheldon, formerly of Hull, passed away on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at the Sanford Health Sheldon Care Center. A visitation with the family present will be held on Sunday, September 24, from 3:00pm to 5:00pm at the Oolman Funeral Home in Hull. There will be a funeral service on Monday, September 25, at 10:30am, at the First Reformed Church in Hull with the Rev. Adam Van Der Stoep officiating. Interment will follow the service at the Hope Cemetery in Hull.
Jennie was born on April 15, 1925, in Rock Rapids, the daughter of Lane and Willemina (Rozeboom) Klarenbeek. She was raised on farms near Rock Rapids and Alvord and attended the Cleveland Township Country School.
She was united in marriage to John J. Keizer on February 5, 1946, on her family's farm near Alvord. For 25 years, they made their home on a farm northwest of Hull, moving into town in 1971. In addition to being a wife and mother, "Jen" worked at the Pleasant Acres Care Center in Hull for a total of twenty years, first as a housekeeper and later as a cook and dietary supervisor. In 2010, she and John moved to the New Homestead in Sioux Center, and in December of 2014, they became residents of Fieldcrest Assisted Living in Sheldon. John passed away on October 30, 2017, in Sheldon, after more than 71 years of marriage. Since June of 2023, Jen has resided at the Sanford Health Sheldon Care Center.
Mrs. Keizer was a member of the First Reformed Church in Hull, where she had participated in the Reformed Church Women's Ministry Ladies Aide Group. She was also a member of the Wegman-Koele American Legion Auxiliary in Hull. Jen liked to crochet, quilt, and sew, and in earlier years, she and John enjoyed going fishing and camping as well as traveling to visit their children and grandchildren.
Survivors include her five children and their spouses, Jim and Vell Keizer, of Hull; Jerald and Marilyn Keizer, of Missouri Valley; Wes and Ana Keizer, of Palm Beach, Florida; Glen and Sue Keizer, of Kearney, Nebraska; and Carla and Les Starkenburg, of Boyden; a daughter-in-law, Karla Keizer, of Joplin, Missouri; eighteen grandchildren; 47 great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Ann Wielenga, of Hull; a brother and his wife, Clarence and MaryAnn Klarenbeek, of Harrisburg, South Dakota; a sister-in-law, Geneva Klarenbeek, of Rock Valley; and a brother-in-law, Jim Keizer, of Doon; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Leon Keizer; a grandson, Kelvin Kooima; five brothers, Ray Klarenbeek, and his wife, Dora; Dick Klarenbeek, and his wives, Ann and Lillian; Bill Klarenbeek, and his wife, Adrianna; Gerrit Klarenbeek; and Lane Klarenbeek, and his wife, Jennie; three sisters and their husbands, Wilhelmina and John Den Besten, Gertrude and Bill Koedam; and Liz and Tom Kooima; and a brother-in-law, Jim Wielenga.
Memorials will be given to the Women's Ministries at the First Reformed Church of Hull.
John Keizer Obituary
Mr. John Keizer, age 94, of Hull, passed away on Monday, October 30, 2017, at Fieldcrest Assisted Living in Sheldon. There will be a funeral service on Saturday, November 4, at 2:30pm, at the First Reformed Church in Hull. The Rev. Kevin Yurk will officiate. Interment will follow the service at the Hope Cemetery in Hull. Visitation will be after 4:00pm on Friday, with the family present from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, at the Oolman Funeral Home in Hull.
John was born on July 25, 1923, at Hull, the son of Joe A. C. and Jennie (Hommes) Keizer. He was raised on a farm northwest of Hull, where he attended a country school. He then served in the World War II US Army Air Corps. On February 5, 1946, he married Jennie Klarenbeek in Alvord. For 25 years, they farmed northwest of Hull, moving into town in 1971. He then was employed by the city of Hull for two years. After that, he was a cross-country trucker, until retiring in 1992. In 2010, they moved to the Homestead in Sioux Center, and in December of 2014, they transferred to Fieldcrest.
Mr. Keizer was a member of the First Reformed Church, where he faithfully worshipped each Sunday. He also belonged to the Wegman-Koele American Legion Post in Hull, where he participated in the Avenue of Flags and many other fundraising activities for the legion. They enjoyed visiting their children and grandchildren. He also liked camping, fishing, making crafts out of wood, and traveling.
Survivors include his wife of more than 71 years, "Jen"; five children and their spouses, Jim and Vell Keizer, of Hull; Jerald and Marilyn Keizer, of Missouri Valley; Wes and Ana Keizer, of Stuttgard, Germany; Glen and Sue Keizer, of Kearney, Nebraska; and Carla and Les Starkenburg, of Boyden; a daughter-in-law, Karla Keizer, of Joplin, Missouri; nineteen grandchildren, forty great-grandchildren, a great-great-granddaughter; two brothers, Dick Keizer, of Inwood; and Jim Keizer, of Doon; and a sister, Fenna Winter, of Rock Valley.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Leon Keizer; a grandson, Kelvin Kooima; a brother, Bill Keizer; a brother-in-law, Fritz Winter; and two sisters-in-law, Patricia Keizer and Grace Keizer.
Willemina was born September 21, 1926 near Alvord, Iowa, daughter of Leendert and Willemina (Rozeboom) Klarenbeek. Willemina married John Den Besten on January 14, 1947 at Rock Valley. Together they first farmed near Madison, South Dakota, 1950 near Rock Valley, and 1952 near Alvord. They retired to Doon, Iowa in 1976. Willemina worked as an aid at Valley Manor at Rock Valley for 25 years, was a Foster Grandparent for 11 years, and enjoyed sewing aprons and quilts. John died on June 12, 1987. Willemina moved to Alvord in March of 2013 to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren.
Willemina is survived by her daughter, Linda (Ed) Van Der Brink of Alvord, Iowa; seven grandchildren, Keith (Cheryl) Van Der Brink, Scott (Amy) Van Der Brink, Beth Schemmel, Dan (Jeanie) Maae, Mark (Angie) Den Besten, Tyler (Samatha) Den Besten, Chantel Den Besten; 17 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; brothers, Gerrit (Geneva) Klarenbeek, Clarence (Mary Ann) Klarenbeek all of Rock Valley; sisters, Gertrude Koedam of Rock Valley, Jennie (John) Keizer, Elizabeth (Gary) Dokter all of Sioux Center, Ann (Jim) Wielenga of Hull, Iowa; sisters-in-law, Adrianna Klarenbeek of Inwood, Iowa, and Jennie Klarenbeek of Sheldon, Iowa.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John; son and his wife, Harlan and Kathy Den Besten; brothers, Ray, Dick, William, and Lane Klarenbeek; sisters-in-law, Dora and Lillian Klarenbeek; brothers-in-law, William Koedam and Thomas Kooima.
Source: Porter Funeral Home website
Adriana (Van Kekerix) Klarenbeek, daughter of Andrew and Jennie (Lems) Van Kekerix,
was born near Hudson, South Dakota.
She graduated from Rock Valley High School in 1948 and went on to obtain her teaching
certificate from Westmar College in LeMars, Iowa.
Adriana taught for 3 years at the Sioux 6 Township Country School.
On December 28, 1950, Adriana was united in marriage with William Klarenbeek at her parents' home near Rock Valley, Iowa. They spent 35 years farming together, 33 of those years living near Fairview, South Dakota from 1954-1987. William passed away March 12, 1987. During the fall of 1987, Adriana moved to a home in Inwood, Iowa. On January 25, 2022, Adriana became a resident of Fellowship Village of Inwood.
She was a member of the Calvin Christian Reformed Church of Rock Valley and was in leadership of the Faith Circle. After her move to Inwood, she joined the fellowship of the First Reformed Church. There she enjoyed being part of the Serendipity Women's Bible Study group. Her years were spent outside involved with the farming and gardening. She spent a lot of time sewing for the family and music was very enjoyable to her. After moving into town, she quilted with the Lutheran Church ladies, was a member of the Fellowship Village Auxiliary and spent many hours bedmaking and volunteering as the "Snack Cart Lady", being a special service to others. Crocheting was also her hobby; thereby countless numbers of doilies and afghans have gone through her hands.
Elizabeth Dokter was born December 15, 1932 near Rock Rapids, to Leonard & Wilhemina
(Rozeboom) Klarenbeek.
Liz married Thomas "Tom" Kooima on 12/7/51.
They farmed north of Rock Valley for one year prior to Tom's service in the Army during
the Korean Conflict from 1952 until 1954.
The couple then farmed south of Rock Valley, along with their 2 children,
where Liz helped out on the farm as needed, made meals to bring out to the field,
raised a garden and canned most of the produce.
Liz worked in the dietary department at Valley Manor from 1975 to 1995.
Tom passed away October 11, 1987 at the age of 56.
Liz later married Gerrit "Gary" Dokter on May 20, 1995 and moved from Rock Valley to Sioux Center. They spent 23 years enjoying life together. Liz worked at Hy-Vee as a "demo lady" and enjoyed meeting people while handing out her treats. She later volunteered at Sioux Center Health as a greeter by the front door, and also at Royale Meadows for a short time. Liz enjoyed cooking and baking. She loved spending time looking through cookbooks, catalogs, fixing puzzles, and enjoying Sunday dinners and coffee with family.
Her greatest trial in life happened on 1/10/19. As she was reading her Bible, her eyesight was suddenly taken from her. She learned to cope with her disability with help from her family and friends, along with many devices made for the blind. Through it all, the "joy of the Lord was her strength," and it was obvious to all those around her. She was able to live independently, while being blind, for 3-1/2 years before moving to Crown Pointe Estates Care Center in July.
She was preceded in death by: Her parents, her first husband, Tom; her late husband, Gary; Brothers: Ray, Dick, Lane, William and Gerrit Klarenbeek; Sisters: Willemina Den Besten, Gert Koedam; Brothers-in-law: John Den Besten, Bill Koedam, John Keizer, Jim Wielenga, Gerrit Kooima, and Ed Driesen; Sisters-in-law: Dora Klarenbeek, Ann Klarenbeek, Lillian Klarenbeek, Jennie Klarenbeek, Elsiena Driesen, Gert Van Gorp, Gerdena Bomgaars, Jeanette Vande Griend
Gerrit "Gary" Dokter was born December 29, 1925, the son of John and Grace (Koerselman)
Dokter on a farm near Middleburg, IA.
Gary attended country school at Capel Township #1.
He was united in marriage to Trellis Den Herder on December 1, 1950, at the First
Reformed Church in Sioux Center.
They made their home with his parents, on a farm near Middleburg.
Gary was called into serving his country in the United States Army during the Korean
War time.
He and Trellis made their home in Sparta, WI until September of 1951, when Gary was sent
overseas to Ludwig Germany.
He returned to the states on January 14, 1953 and was Honorably discharged from the
service.
He and Trellis began their farming years near Middleburg.
Trellis died in 1994 and Gary later remarried to Elizabeth Kooima on May 20, 1995. He and Liz spent the last 23 years enjoying life together. Gary was a lifelong member of the Middleburg Free Grace Reformed Church, where he had served as an Elder and Deacon. He also was active in the VFW, where he was a past Chaplin. He enjoyed fishing, playing pool, watching sports, especially the Minnesota Twins and also the Vikings, along with playing cards. This past Wednesday, August 1, 2018, Gary died unexpectedly at Sioux Center Health at the age of ninety-two.
He is survived by his wife Elizabeth of Sioux Center; his children, Larry (Judy) Dokter of Orange City, IA; Galen (Barbara) Dokter of Morrison, CO; Joyce (Jim) Zittritsch of Norfolk, NE and Janice (James) Calkhoven of Sioux Falls, SD; step children, Debra (Bruce) Dooyema and Darrell Kooima all of Sioux Center; along with 17 grandchildren and 31 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Trellis; his parents, John and Grace Dokter; three sisters and brothers-in-law, Gertrude (Marvin) Van Gorp; Gerdena (John/Arie) Bomgaars and Jeanette (Jake) Vander Griend.
This memorial provided by:
MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME
SIOUX CENTER, IA