Harry L Kraayenbrink

     Harry L. Kraayenbrink, age 87, of Sioux Center, IA, passed away Friday, December 15, 2017 at Royale Meadows Care Center in Sioux Center, Ia, surrounded by family.

    Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 20th at the First Reformed Church in Sioux Center, with Reverend Jamie Dykstra officiating.

    Burial will follow in the Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center, with military honors by Doornink-Brunsting American Legion Post 199 and the VFW Post 6129 of Sioux Center.

    Visitation will be Tuesday, December 19th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., with family present at Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center.

     Memorials may be directed to the National Alzheimer’s Association or Veterans Memorial Fund.

    Harry Lester Kraayenbrink was born February 20, 1930 to Ben and Jeanette (Van Roekel) Kraayenbrink in Sioux Center, Iowa. He was raised on a farm near Sioux Center and graduated from Sioux Center High School in 1947.  He entered the United States Army on February 26, 1952, during the Korean Conflict, he was stationed in Germany.  He received his honorable discharge on February 9, 1954 and returned home to Sioux Center.

    Harry was united in marriage to Wilma Cleveringa on April 20, 1956 at First Reformed Church in Sioux Center.  He worked at the Sioux Center Co-op and the Sioux Center Lumberyard before moving to Maurice in 1959, where he began farming. He farmed in Maurice for 6 years before moving to a farm north of Sioux Center.  This is where Harry and Wilma raised their 4 daughters.  Harry retired from farming in 1988.  Harry was also employed throughout the years by Casey’s Bakery and Harker’s.   After moving to town, they were fortunate to move back into the first home they built back in 1956.

    Harry was a member of First Reformed Church in Sioux Center where he served as a Deacon, Elder, and Sunday School Teacher.  He also shared his faith with prison inmates through Crossroads Bible Ministries   He was a lifelong member of the American Legion and VFW. He had many hobbies and interests, but especially enjoyed woodworking and carpentry, golfing, fishing, bike riding, and playing pool and cards at the Senior Center.  He treasured time spent with his wife, children and grandchildren and enjoyed attending their various activities.  Harry would often remark “We have the best family ever!”.  Harry and Wilma also enjoyed traveling to visit family and going to the lakes.

    He entered Royale Meadows Care Center on February 17, 2017 and remained there until his death.  

    He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Wilma of Sioux Center, IA; four daughters, twelve grandchildren and two great grandchildren:  Debra (Greg) Getting of Hartley, IA, their daughter Emilee (Jason) Freed, their daughters Macin and Hayden; Lynne (Richard) Fiegen of Sioux Falls, SD, their children Ben and Elizabeth;  Pam (Bruce) Kellen of LeMars, IA, their children Kelsi (Chad) Macek, Drew and Alex; Karen (Carl) Helle of Madison, WI, their children Sam, Sydney, Jack and Lydia; brothers & sisters: Alvin (Jeanine) Kraayenbrink, Dick (Virgie) Kraayenbrink, Bernice (John) Vander Stouwe, Joyce (Alan) Brown, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, James Lyons, John (Marjorie) Cleveringa, Margaret (Lee) Erickson, Garold (Chris) Cleveringa Fran (Denny) Vollink and Theresa Cleveringa; and many nephews, nieces and other extended family.

    He was preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Jeanette Kraayenbrink; two sisters, Darlene Moss and Linda Lyons; and brother-in-law, Pete Moss.

      Harry will be lovingly remembered as an amazing role model, mentor and man of faith, who, even through difficult years, remained committed to providing for his family.  His heartfelt prayers will be deeply missed, and his legacy will live on in the hearts and lives of his family forever.