Search Archived Marriage Records
DR. PAUL W. VANDER KOOI
Dr. Paul W. Vander Kooi, age 70, of Orange City, passed away on Saturday, January 2, 2010, at the Heritage House Nursing Home in Orange City, following a long illness.
A service celebrating his life will be on Saturday, January 9, at 11:00 a.m., at the Trinity Reformed Church in Orange City. The Rev. Jonathan Opgenorth and the Rev. Raymond Weiss will officiate. Interment will be prior to the service at the West Lawn Cemetery in Orange City. There will be a prayer service on Saturday, at 10:00 a.m., at the Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City.
Visitation will be after 4:00 p.m. on Friday, with the family present from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., at the funeral home.
Paul Willis was born on February 2, 1939, in Clifton Springs, New York, the oldest child of the Rev. Willis J. and Jennie (Keuning) Vander Kooi. He lived with his family in Ontario, New York, Chancellor and Amherst, South Dakota, and Herman, Minnesota. He graduated from the Herman High School in 1957.
He attended Central College in Pella, graduating in 1961, magna cum laude, with a degree in chemistry. A graduate of the University of Minnesota College of Medicine in 1965, he was elected to membership in the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society.
He married Marilyn Kolenbrander, whom he met at Central College, on June 29, 1962, in Middleburg, Iowa. They resided in Minneapolis while he finished medical school. Following an internship in general practice medicine at Broadlawns Hospital in Des Moines, he was drafted and served two years in the United States Public Health Service on the Papago (Hohokam) Indian Reservation in Arizona.
Dr. Paul, as he was known to patients and staff, joined the Orange City Medical Clinic in 1968, where he was a general practitioner and anesthesiologist. He found his greatest satisfaction and joy in caring for his patients. He served on the hospital board of directors beginning in the early 1970s through 1987, retiring from medicine in 1994. He was a member of the Sioux County Medical Society and a life member of the American Academy of Family Physicians.
He was a member of Trinity Reformed Church where he served as an elder, and taught adult Sunday school and youth Catechism classes. He was an active member of the Lion's Club and a charter member of the Dutch Heritage Boosters.
Dr. Paul was widely-read, especially enjoying history, philosophy and science. Every family vacation included a visit to a university book store to stock up on textbooks. He liked to play and watch sports, including slow pitch softball, volleyball, and golf. He played Bridge, gardened extensively, and liked to travel. He taught himself the Dutch language and Morse code, and listened to nightly Dutch broadcasts on a shortwave radio he built. He also repaired small appliances for patients and co-workers. He was particularly interested in the history associated with the Dutch Heritage Boosters, and researched and wrote articles on Orange City history.
Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Marilyn; his two daughters, their husbands, and four grandchildren: Annette and William Minnick, and children, Noah Vander Kooi and William Paul, of Orange City; and Sara and Kevin Huyser, and children, Nathan Paul and Elizabeth Anna, of Papillion, Nebraska; as well as his father, the Rev. Willis J. Vander Kooi, of Broomfield, Colorado; and brothers, sisters, and their spouses, John (Verna), of Akron, Ohio; Jane, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Carl (Mary), of Cedar Falls; Lois (Neil), of Broomfield; and Ruth (Steve), of Louisville, Colorado. He and his youngest sister, Ruth, share the same birth date, 21 years apart.
His mother, Jennie Keuning Vander Kooi, preceded him in death.
Memorials may be directed to the patient's library at the Orange City Area Health System or a charity of the donor's choice.
KARLA B. VANDER WILT
Mrs. Karla Vander Wilt, age 55, of Hospers, passed away on Saturday, October 31, 2009, at the Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City.
There will be a funeral service on Thursday, November 5, at 10:00am, at the Immanuel Christian Reformed Church in Orange City. The Rev. Robert Drenten will officiate. Interment will follow at the West Lawn Cemetery in Orange City. Visitation with the family present will be on Wednesday, from 5:00pm to 8:00pm, at the CHURCH. Arrangements are with the Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City.
Karla Beth was born on March 1, 1954, in Orange City, the daughter of Paul and Marge B. (Caswell) Visser. She was raised in several towns, including Racine, Wisconsin, and New Holland, South Dakota, and finally Orange City, where she graduated from Unity Christian High School.
On June 29, 1973, she married Arthur Jay Vander Wilt in Orange City. For the first three years of their marriage, they lived in San Diego, California. They have since made their home on a farm near Hospers, where she was a homemaker. There, she also operated Red Roof Refinishing, working on furniture for others.
Karla was a member of the Immanuel Christian Reformed Church, where she was involved in many activities and served on several committees. At home, she enjoyed golfing, gardening, her dogs, home decorating, and especially, being with her grandchildren.
Survivors include her husband of more than 36 years, Art: four daughters and their husbands, Rashelle and Larry Theis, of Reno, Nevada; Sabrina and Randy Smit, of Clear Lake; Tabitha and Joel Van Soelen, of Anaheim, California; and Amanda and Scott Van Andel, of Denver, Colorado; a son, Jonathan Vander Wilt, of Hospers; ten grandchildren, Emma, Sydnee, and Carsen Theis; Caleb, Chloe, and Anna Smit; Jonah and Isabelle Van Soelen; and Devon and Klara Van Andel; her mother, Marge Visser, of Orange City; four sisters, Belinda, and her husband, Dan Pluim, and Valerie, and her husband, Randy Droog, all of Orange City; Carol, and her husband, Doug Bootsma, of Sanborn; and Donna Vander Linden, of Cerritos, California; and a brother, Paul Visser, of Orange City.
She was preceded in death by her father.
MATHILDA VANDER WILT
Mrs. Mathilda Vander Wilt, age 97, of Orange City, passed away on Friday, January 1, 2010, at the Heritage House Nursing Home in Orange City.
There will be a memorial service on Wednesday, January 6, at 11:00am, at the First Reformed Church Chapel in Orange City. The Rev. Dr. Perry De Groot will officiate. Interment will be prior to the service at the West Lawn Cemetery in Orange City. There will be a prayer service on Wednesday, at 10:00am, at the Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City.
Visitation will be after 5:00pm on Tuesday, with the family present from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, at the funeral home.
Mathilda Cornelia was born on July 2, 1912, in Orange City, the daughter of John and Grace (Dykstra) Buurman. She was raised at Orange City, where she attended the Northwestern Junior College. She then became a school teacher.
On June 26, 1939, she married Herman Vander Wilt in Orange City. He passed away on October 30, 1944 in Topeka, Kansas. She made her home in Orange City, where she was a homemaker, raising her children as a single mother.
In January of 2005, she became a resident of the Landsmeer Ridge Retirement Community, and in November of 2005, she transferred to the Heritage House.
Mrs. Vander Wilt was a member of the First Reformed Church, where she participated in the women's organizations. She was also active in Christian education, teaching Sunday school and catechism classes and serving as Sunday school superintendent. She enjoyed playing cards, reading, and baking, especially cookies.
Survivors include her daughter and her husband, Glenda Mae and Terry De Jong, of Rockville, Maryland; a son and his wife, Harold John and Betsy Vander Wilt, of Virginia Beach, Virginia; five grandchildren, Paul (Paula) De Jong, Michelle De Jong, John (Alexandra) Vander Wilt, Margaret (William) Allen, and Sarah (Matthew) Warner; five great-grandchildren; and a brother, Clarence Buurman, of Greenville, South Carolina.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a brother, Adrian Buurman.
In lieu of flowers, memorials will be directed to the Heritage House or First Reformed Church.
JOHANNA VENEMA
Mrs. Johanna Venema, age 105, of Hospers, passed away on Friday, February 2, 2007 at the Heritage House Nursing Home in Orange City.
There will be a funeral service on Wednesday, February 7, at 1:30pm, at the First Christian Reformed Church in Hospers. The Rev. Richard Venema and the Rev. Cornel Venema will officiate. Interment will follow at the Hospers Cemetery. Visitation will be after 6:00pm on Tuesday, with the family present from 6:00pm to 8:00pm, at the Oolman Funeral Home in Hospers.
Johanna was born on December 24, 1901, in Hospers, the daughter of Johan and Jennie (Kreykes) Waanders. She received the gift of Christ through baptism and on March 4, 1921, confessed her faith in Christ at the First Christian Reformed Church. She received her education in Hospers, and as a young woman, did domestic work in private homes and custodial work in the church. She also accompanied Dr. Galman of Hospers on house calls.
On April 9, 1947, she married Cornelius Venema and became a homemaker. They lived in Hospers and enjoyed fishing and traveling together. He passed away on June 12, 1953.
Mrs. Venema continued living in her home in Hospers, and she worked part-time at the Vander Ploeg Furniture Store. She loved socializing with all people and was a wonderful hostess. She liked attending bazaars and spent time crocheting, embroidering, and gardening.
She was a lifelong member of the First Christian Reformed Church, where she faithfully attended activities and contributed to the work of the Lord. She belonged to the Priscilla Society and was a strong supporter of Christian education. She was deeply committed to God and his Holy Word, believing that Jesus was the only way to eternal life.
In September of 2002, at the age of 98 years, she became a resident of the Heritage House.
She leaves to cherish her memory a brother and his wife, Arie and Sadie Waanders, of Hanford, California; a sister-in-law, Alice Waanders, of Grand Rapids, Michigan; many nephews and nieces; two step-sons and their wives, Dr. Richard and Nicole Venema, of Helena, Montana; and the Rev. Alvin and Norma Venema, of Ancaster, Ontario, Canada; two step-daughters, Melvina Vander Linde, of Grand Rapids; and Theresa, and her husband, Herbert Peters, of Sheldon; and two step-daughter-in-law, Virginia Venema, of Bonning, California, and Audrey Venema, of Sarnia, Ontario, Canada.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Doores, William, and John Waanders; three sisters, Henrika Yonker, Wilhemine Swets, and Magdalene Waanders; two brothers-in-law, Peter Yonker and Walter Swets; a sister-in-law, Jennie Waanders; two step-sons, the Rev. Henry Venema and John Venema; a step-daughter, Harriet De Jong; two step-sons-in-law, Roy De Jong and Donald Vander Linde; and a step-daughter-in-law, Carrie Venema.
Blessed be her memory.
Memorials will be directed to the church.
SADIE M. VER STEEG
Mrs. Sadie Ver Steeg, age 99, of Orange City, passed away on Wednesday, December 30, 2009, at the Orange City Area Health System Hospital.
There will be a funeral service on Monday, January 4, at 10:30am, at the First Reformed Church in Orange City. The Rev. Dr. Perry De Groot will officiate. Interment will follow at the West Lawn Cemetery in Orange City. Visitation will be after 2:00pm on Sunday, with the family present from 2:00pm to 5:00pm, at the Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City.
Sadie Marie was born on August 28, 1910, in rural Maurice, the daughter of Abel and Effie (Swarts) Popma. She was raised at Maurice, where she attended school.
On May 24, 1932, she married Laurence J. Ver Steeg in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Although they first lived in Sioux Center, they made their home in Orange City most of their lives. In addition to being a homemaker, she assisted her husband in the operation of Ver Steeg Trucking. He passed away on November 1, 1963, in Orange City.
Mrs. Ver Steeg then worked as a nurses' aide at the Orange City Municipal Hospital. In September of 2006, she became a resident of the Pioneer Memorial Home in Orange City. About a month ago, she transferred to the Heritage House Nursing Home in Orange City.
She was a member of the First Reformed Church. In later years, when she wasn't able to attend worship there, she would still dress-up on Sundays and listen to their services on the radio.
She enjoyed crocheting, making Afghans or doilies for most of her descendents. She knew the birthdates of her many family members and always acknowledged them.
Survivors include her nine children, Wanda, and her husband, Wilson Kuiken, of Maurice; Irma, and her husband, Eldon “Red” Beuklman, of Madison, South Dakota; Leon “Bus” Ver Steeg, and his wife, Alice, of Orange City; Shirley, and her husband, Martin Wierda, of Sioux Center; Eva, and her husband, Ervin “Ike” Huizenga, of Orange City; Pat, and her husband, Don Fedders, of Milford; Larry Ver Steeg, and his wife, Jane, of Kalona; Stan Ver Steeg, of Orange City; and Nancy, and her husband, Dave Vellinga, of Clive; 46 grandchildren, 116 great-grandchildren, 39 great-great-grandchildren; a brother, Delbert Popma, of Orange City; a sister and her husband, Muriel and John Palsrok, of Rock Rapids; and two sisters-in-law, Wilmina and Sue Ver Steeg, both of Orange City.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; two brothers, Frank and Lloyd Popma; and two sisters, Madge De Boer and Blanche Popma, at age 9.
Memorials may be directed to the Pioneer Memorial Home.
JOHN W. VRIEZE
Mr. John Vrieze, age 92, of Alton, passed away on Tuesday, November 10, 2009, at the Orange City Area Health System Long Term Care Facility.
There will be a memorial service on Friday, November 13, at 11:00am, at the Alton Reformed Church. The Rev. Michael Hardeman will officiate. Interment will be prior to the service at the Nassau Township Cemetery, near Alton. There will be a prayer service on Friday, at 10:00am, at the Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City.
Visitation will be after 3:00pm on Thursday, with the family present from 6:00pm to 7:30pm, at the funeral home.
John William was born on August 29, 1917, in rural Alton, the son of Joseph and Patronella “Nellie” (Aberson) Vrieze. He was raised at Alton, where as a young man, he worked for area farmers. Later, he sold Nutrina Feeds at the Alton Feed Store. He then served in the United States Army for 4 ˝ years during World War II, stationed mostly in France and England.
On September 17, 1948, he married Susan De Weerd in Orange City. They made their home in Alton, where he first operated the Alton Shoe Store. They then moved to Emmetsburg, where he sold Watkins Products for a year. He then began a 25 year career with Sioux County, the last three years of which he was foreman at the Alton shop. Later, he helped his wife manage the Alton Laundromat.
In November of 2001, they moved to the Pioneer Memorial Home in Orange City, and in May of 2004, they transferred to the Long Term Care Facility. Sue passed away on April 28, 2008, in Orange City, after almost sixty years of marriage.
Mr. Vrieze was a member of the Alton Reformed Church, where he served on the consistory. He also belonged to the Floyd American Legion Post in Alton. He enjoyed woodworking, making many toys, bowling, and playing pool.
He was a compassionate and caring friend, who always had a smile and a handshake. His dry sense of humor allowed him to see the bright side of life. He was a loving husband and father, who lived for his family.
He will be greatly missed by his daughter and her husband, Jolene and Kenneth Ekema, of Everson, Washington; three grandchildren, Kristin, and her husband, Lindsey Hoekstra, of Lynden, Washington; Kyle Ekema, and his wife, Swandel, of Everson; and Kaitlyn Ekema, of Everson, and her fiancé, Joshua Trefethen, of Bellingham, Washington; two great-grandchildren, Jessica and Shaun Hoekstra; a sister-in-law, Christina De Haan, of Orange City; and nephews and nieces.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Betty Blalock and JoAnn Kessler.
Memorials may be directed to the Alton Reformed Church and the Gideons.
WILBUR J. WIERSMA
Mr. Wilbur Wiersma, age 80, of Orange City, passed away on Monday, December 21, 2009, at his residence.
There will be a memorial service on Sunday, December 27, at 1:30pm, at the Calvary Christian Reformed Church in Orange City. The Rev. David Heilman will officiate.
Visitation with the family will be on Saturday, from 1:00pm to 3:00pm, with a prayer service at 3:00pm, at the Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City. Interment will follow at the West Lawn Cemetery in Orange City.
Wilbur John was born on July 29, 1929, in Orange City, the son of Dewey and Alice (Geurink) Wiersma. He was raised in Orange City, where he attended the Christian School and Northwestern Academy and College. He also attended Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He then served four years in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict.
On September 14, 1951, he married Mary Louise Vander Moere in Grand Rapids. They lived at Shreveport, Louisiana, while he was in the military. They then moved to Le Mars, where he was a poultry specialist at a hatchery. In 1963, they settled on the southwest edge of Orange City, where he operated an egg plant and was a farmer.
Mr. Wiersma was currently a member of the Calvary Christian Reformed Church. In earlier years, he was very active in the Calvin Christian Reformed Church in Le Mars. He served as a Sunday school teacher and council member and traveled to Nigeria, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico for mission projects.
He enjoyed animals, raising llamas, goats, and sheep. After retiring from the egg farm, he and Mary liked to travel, spending winters in Texas. In addition, he helped with the Hope Haven Wheelchair Ministry in Orange City.
Survivors include his wife of more than 58 years; five children and thirteen grandchildren, Ruth (Terry) Huizingh, of Denver, Colorado, and their sons, Jonathan Huizingh, Ryan (Sarah) Huizingh, and Devin Huizingh; Paul (Joyce) Wiersma, of Summerland, British Columbia, and their children, Sharon (Kurt) Vos, and two great-grandchildren, Meghan and Layne Vos, Rachel (Mark) Peters, Carla Wiersma, and Daniel Wiersma; Joyce Wiersma, of Denver; Bruce (Mary) Wiersma, of Orange City, and their children, Angela Wiersma and Travis Wiersma; and Dean (Judy) Wiersma, of Fort Collins, Colorado, and their sons, Andy (Jenny) Wiersma, Steve Wiersma, Matt Wiersma, and Joel Wiersma; three brothers, Ralph (Emilie) Wiersma, of Denver; Glenn (Joyce) Wiersma, of Odessa, Texas; and Lee Dale Wiersma, of Rock Valley; and his wife's brother and sister, James (Bea) Vander Moere and Martha Stuits, all of Grand Rapids.
Memorials may be directed to the Hope Haven Wheelchair Ministry.
