Welcome to the memorial page for
John M. Kooistra
December 2, 1929 ~ February 15, 2014 (age 84) 84 Years OldShare using:
JOHN M. KOOISTRA, age 84, of Beaver Creek, died Saturday, February 15, 2014, at the Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. He was born December 2, 1929, at his home in rural Rock Valley, IA, to Martin and Jennie (Kempema) Kooistra. He grew up on a farm near Hudson, SD where he attended country school. He worked on the farm and also started his own corn shelling business when he was a young man.
John was united in marriage to the love of his life, Arlene DeVries on May 18, 1955, at the Christian Reformed Church, in Inwood, IA. After their marriage, the couple lived in rural Inwood area for a short time until they moved to Hawarden. They moved back to Inwood and farmed there for eight years. They moved to the family farm in rural Beaver Creek in 1967. They built a new home on a section of their land in 1998 when they retired. John loved farming and lived on a farm all his life.
John always enjoyed shelling corn and started shelling again in 1978 and continued until he retired in 1998. He also enjoyed puzzles, reading, mowing the grass and just keeping the yard immaculate. He enjoyed his time with his children and grandchildren giving each of them their own special nickname.
He was a member of the American Reformed Church in Luverne, MN. Throughout his life he enjoyed singing in the choir and serving his church as an elder and deacon.
John is survived by his wife Arlene, Beaver Creek; five children, Dawn Kooistra, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada; Debbie (Kevin) Moeller, Sherman, SD; Mark Kooistra, Beaver Creek, MN; Dori (Rob) Horstman, Inwood, IA; Melonie (Scott) Vancura, Lakefield; son-in-law, Corey Harmening, Dassel, MN; Seventeen grandchildren, four great grandchildren; a sister, Marlene (Alvin) Van’t Land, Inwood, IA; two brothers, Harvey (Florence) Kooistra, Grandville, MI; Lloyd (Marcine) Kempema, Kersey, CO; sisters-in-law Ella Mae Kooistra and Fonda Kooistra; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers Willis Kooistra and Rich Kooistra; and his daughter, Michele Harmening on November 20, 2013.
John was united in marriage to the love of his life, Arlene DeVries on May 18, 1955, at the Christian Reformed Church, in Inwood, IA. After their marriage, the couple lived in rural Inwood area for a short time until they moved to Hawarden. They moved back to Inwood and farmed there for eight years. They moved to the family farm in rural Beaver Creek in 1967. They built a new home on a section of their land in 1998 when they retired. John loved farming and lived on a farm all his life.
John always enjoyed shelling corn and started shelling again in 1978 and continued until he retired in 1998. He also enjoyed puzzles, reading, mowing the grass and just keeping the yard immaculate. He enjoyed his time with his children and grandchildren giving each of them their own special nickname.
He was a member of the American Reformed Church in Luverne, MN. Throughout his life he enjoyed singing in the choir and serving his church as an elder and deacon.
John is survived by his wife Arlene, Beaver Creek; five children, Dawn Kooistra, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada; Debbie (Kevin) Moeller, Sherman, SD; Mark Kooistra, Beaver Creek, MN; Dori (Rob) Horstman, Inwood, IA; Melonie (Scott) Vancura, Lakefield; son-in-law, Corey Harmening, Dassel, MN; Seventeen grandchildren, four great grandchildren; a sister, Marlene (Alvin) Van’t Land, Inwood, IA; two brothers, Harvey (Florence) Kooistra, Grandville, MI; Lloyd (Marcine) Kempema, Kersey, CO; sisters-in-law Ella Mae Kooistra and Fonda Kooistra; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers Willis Kooistra and Rich Kooistra; and his daughter, Michele Harmening on November 20, 2013.
© 2024 Dingmann and Sons - Funeral Home - Cremation Service. All Rights Reserved. Funeral Home website by CFS & TA | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Accessibility