STANLEY ELDON KOEDAM, age 79, of Leota, died Wednesday, January 22, 2014, at the Parkview Manor Nursing Home in Ellsworth.  He was born on the family farm near Leota, MN, January 16, 1935, to Jonas and Cornelia (Van Nieuwenhuyzen) Koedam.  He went to meet his Savior and loved ones gone before on January 22, 2014, at the age of 79 years and 6 days.  Stanley was a life-long member of Ebenezer Christian Reformed Church where he was involved in choir and youth activities when he was young.  He attended and graduated from Leota Christian School in 8th grade and attended Edgerton High School.  Stanley learned the Dutch language listening to his parents and others speaking it and from a cousin of his father who would come to visit quite often.  He was able to use this knowledge when he was in the service and took a trip to the Netherlands on leave.  Stanley served in the army from Nov. 1956-Nov.1958, during which he spent most of his time in Germany as a tank gunner and vehicle maintenance in the armored division.  He also had the privilege of meeting and picking up Elvis Presley from a train station outside Berlin while there.  Upon his return home, he farmed with his father and rented some land which has been rented by the family for over 50 years.
Stanley and Janice (De Zeeuw) were married in the Lake Benton Methodist Church May 21, 1965.  To this union were born two children:  Linda Sue and Steven James.  Stanley was involved in farming and dairying.  In his spare time he liked reading, history accounts from WWI and WWII and area history.  He knew much of the family history of where they lived and when and how much different parcels of land sold for in earlier days and who owned them previously.  He enjoyed going to farm sales and also learning history through visiting.  In March of 1999, he suffered a stroke with some side effects, and was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2005.  He entered the care facility at Parkview Manor in Ellsworth, MN.
Survivors include his wife, Janice; daughter, Linda (Bruce) Reisdorfer and grandchildren, Jeremy, Kristen, Tyler of Magnolia; son Steven (Christina) Koedam and grandson, Matthew of Edgerton.  Also surviving are:  sister-in-law Marie Koedam, Luverne, MN; and sister-in-law Elnora Koedam, Orange City, Iowa,  sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law of Janice and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Albert; brother William; sister, and brother-in-law, Anna and Rolland Bolt; and brother, Marlyn, who died at birth; and a brother-in-law and sister, and brother of Janice

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