Arend C. Wassink

     Arend C. Wassink age 91 of Sioux Center, IA died November 6, 2016 at Royale Meadows Care Center in Sioux Center, IA.A

     Funeral service will be held Thursday at 10:30am at Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Center with Rev. Duane Tinklenberg and Pastor Matthew Wassink officiating.

     Interment will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Sioux Center.

     Visitation will be held Wednesday from 4:00pm to 8:00pm with the family present from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center.

     In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Sioux Center Christian School or the Sioux Center EMT Squad.

     Arend C. Wassink was born January 17, 1925 on the family farm near Sioux Center to Cornelius and Jennie (Van Maanen) Wassink.  He received his 8th grade education at Welcome #5 Country School.  On November 28, 1944 Arend was united in marriage to Rosella Blankespoor at Hull, IA.  He and his bride lived and raised their family on the same farm near Sioux Center where Arend was born and grew up.

     Arend was a passionate fast-pitch softball player for over 30 years in Hull and Sioux Center.  He was the last surviving member of the Hull Orphans, one of the most recognized fast-pitch teams in Northwest Iowa.  Following his playing career he umpired fast-pitch for over 20 years.  Arend also bowled for many years and played on the church volleyball team.  He enjoyed fishing in his leisure time.

     Arend raised purebred hogs for over 60 years and sold countless boars to farmers in the surrounding tri-state area. He was a member of the Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Center.  He served as Deacon of his church and also on the Sioux Center Christian School Board.

     Arend is survived by his wife of nearly 72 years, Rosella Wassink of Sioux Center; daughters, Janice (Roger) Alons of Troy, IL and Hilaine (Roger) Kempema of Rock Valley, IA; son, Cornie (Deb) Wassink of Alton, IA; daughters, Gloria (Ken) Van Wyhe of Stanton, IA and Arlis Folkerts of Winnipeg MB, Canada; 16 grandchildren; and 29 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and other extended family members.

     He was preceded in death by his parents, Cornelius and Jennie Wassink; son-in-law, Gerald Folkerts; 3 brothers, Arend, Bert and Cornelius Jr.; 2 sisters, Mina Wassink and Nellie Brummel; brother-in-law, John Brummel; 2 grandchildren, Matthew Alons and Travis Van Wyhe.

CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS

“Blessed Assurance” #490

“How Great Thou Art” #483

“God Be With You” # 316

Karen Wynia, Organist

SPECIAL MUSIC

“It Is Well With My Soul”

 Glen and Betty Vermeer

CASKET BEARERS

Korey Van Wyhe    Ryan Wassink    Todd Alons

Shaun Alons    Douglas Kempema

Joshua Kempema    Jared Folkerts   

HONORARY CASKET BEARERS

   Matthew Wassink     Jesse Folkerts     Brendan Folkerts

Mike Schouten     Darrell Koedam     Calvin Sandbulte     Alvin Sandbulte       Peter Steiger