Aaldert "Al" Mennega

   Al Mennega, 87, of Sioux Center, Iowa died Tuesday, June 12th, 2018 at Royale Meadows Care Center, Sioux Center.

      Funeral services will be 10:00AM, Friday, June 15th, 2018, at Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Center, with the Rev. Duane Tinklenberg officiating.  Burial will follow in the Memory Gardens Cemetery in Sioux Center.  A lunch will follow the interment.

      Visitation will be 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. with family present from Thursday, June 14th from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Bethel Christian Reformed Church.

      Aaldert “Al” Mennega was born July 3, 1930 in Assen, the Netherlands, the son of Egbert and Grietje (van Dalen) Mennega.  Al’s family immigrated to the United States in 1950 and lived for a time in Cutlerville, Michigan. 

 He was inducted into the US Army in 1951, and served for 2 years. He was primarily stationed in Germany during the Korean Conflict. Upon his return Al attended Calvin College to study Biology.  It was during this time that he met the love of his life, Elisabeth (Betty) Vriend, whom he married on June 20, 1958.  Al continued his education and received his Ph.D. from Michigan State University. 

Al was recruited by Dordt College in 1964 to teach Biology. He remained at Dordt for 36 years where he challenged and blessed many students by his teaching and example.  He retired in the year 2000.  

 Family was very important to Al. He and Betty proudly raised six children and dearly loved their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

 Al enjoyed volunteering with Crossroads Prison Ministries and at Royale Meadows.  In his free time, he could be found painting, reading, doing puzzles, gardening or fishing. 

 He is survived by his children: Yvonne (Dave) Thornton of Sioux Falls, SD; Ted Hoeksema of Grand Rapids, MI; Annette (Tom) Van Voorst of Maurice, IA; Rene (Derrick) Buggs of Grand Rapids, MI; Daniel Mennega of Austin, TX; Michelle (Dick) de Jong of Bodegraven, the Netherlands; 15 grandchildren: Emily (Mark) Abele, Bryce (Maegen), Ian, and Caleb Thornton; Samuel Hoeksema; Kodie (Kate) Van Voorst; Kelsie (Joel) Rieck; Kassidy, and Kolten (Sam) Van Voorst; Shayla, and Jordan Smith; Monique, Collin, Karina and Daniella de Jong and 6 great grandchildren: Nijayah, Christian and Carliyah Smith, Malaysia Jackson; Karsen and Kennedy Van Voorst. Al is survived by his siblings: Ann Mennega, Harry (Dianna) Mennega, Gert Christensen and Grace (Jim) Wilms, as well as the Vriend family in-laws. 

 He is preceded in death by his wife, Betty; his parents, Egbert and Grietje Mennega; sister-in-law, Joan Mennega and brother-in-law, Lyle Christensen.