Frank Koelewyn was born October 25, 1926 to Frank and Gertie (Buyert) Koelewyn on a farm four miles Southeast of Leota, in Nobles County, MN.  He attended the Country School there through sixth grade; he then worked on the family farm.  Frank made profession of faith at Ebenezer Christian Reformed Church, Leota, MN on June 23, 1946.  On October 25, 1950 he married Leona De Kam at the Ebenezer Christian Reformed Church in Leota, MN.  They were blessed with four children:  Anne Louise, Fred Alan, Scott Lee and Kari Lynn.

Frank was drafted into the United States Army on March 30, 1951 and received basic training at Camp Roberts, California.  From there he was stationed at the Edson Airforce Base, north of Fairbanks, Alaska, where he drove a truck with the artillery.  His wife joined him there and they lived in Fairbanks for 2 years.  Frank was honorably discharged on March 24, 1953 in Fairbanks, Alaska.  He worked for a construction company there until December of 1953, they then returned back to the states and back to the farm.

Frank was a lifelong member of the Ebenezer Christian Reformed Church in Leota where he served as a deacon.  He also served several terms on the Leota Christian School Board.  Frank served on the Battle Plain Township Board for 26 years and he was a member of the American Legion Post #42.

Frank enjoyed fishing, playing horseshoe and loved playing games and cards with his children and grandchildren.   Spending time with his family was a great joy to him.  He and Leona also enjoyed spending time in Mission, Texas for the winter months for 16 years.

Frank was a farmer his entire life and worked Southwest of Leota until August of 2008 when they moved into their apartment in Edgerton.  In January of 2014 they became residents in the Assisted Living at Edgebrook in Edgerton.  On March 11, 2014 Frank entered the Hospice Cottage in Luverne, MN due to complications of lung cancer and on April 18 he was transferred to Edgebrook Care Center in Edgerton.

Frank passed away and entered his heavenly home on April 26, 2014 at the Edgebrook Care Center, Edgerton, MN at the age of 87 years and 6 months and 1 day.  Blessed be his memory.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Leona, of 63 years; his four children and nine grandchildren.  His daughter Anne Moore and her husband Carlton of Chanhassen, MN and children, David (Elly) Sprik with Tyler (7), Jolie (5), Kyla (1); Andrea (Aaron) Aaserude; Corey (Sarah) Moore with Eric (5), Ashley (2); Wendy Moore (fiancé, Joe Kenney); son Fred Koelewyn and his wife Darla of Plano, TX and children Lisa (Keifer) Honey with Ruth (2 mo); Joshua Koelewyn, Sarah Koelewyn; son Scott Koelewyn and his wife Pam of Harrisburg, SD and children Spencer and Taylor;  and his daughter Kari Schaap and her husband Brian of Lismore, MN.  His four sisters Bertha (Gilbert) Corbin, Florence Buys, Gertrude (Harvey) Sas of Leota, MN and Dena (Clares) Christians of Edgerton, MN and four sisters-in-law  Tracy De Kam, Nelvina De Kam, Alberta De Kam, Carol De Kam and one brother-in-law Stanley Osenga.

Frank is preceded in death by his parents Frank and Gertie, his grandson Zachary Scott Koelewyn, his sister Grace Van Hulzen, his brother Arthur Koelewyn; six brothers-in-law John Van Hulzen, Walter Buys, Peter De Kam, Arnold De Kam, Duane De Kam, and Vernon De Kam, and three sisters in law Henrietta Koelewyn, Judy Osenga, and Caroline Kalsbeck.

Visitation will be from 5-8 pm Wednesday at the Ebenezer Christian Reformed Church in Leota. Funeral will be 10:30 am Thursday at the Ebenezer Christian Reformed Church in Leota. Burial with full military honors will be at the Leota Community Cemetery.
The Leota Burial Association and Dingmann Funeral Home, in Adrian, is in charge of arrangements.

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