Rich Van Donge

Rich Van Donge, 90, of Sioux Center, IA, died Friday, January 9, 2015, at Royale Meadows Care Center, Sioux Center. A visitation will be held on Monday from 4-8PM, with the family present from 5-7PM at the Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center. A prayer service for family and friends will be held on Tuesday at 10:00AM at the Faith Christian Reformed Church of Sioux Center. Interment will follow the prayer service in Memory Gardens of Sioux Center. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday at 11:00AM at the Faith Christian Reformed Church of Sioux Center with Rev. David Smit officiating. In lieu of flowers or gift items the Van Donge family prefers memorials to Sioux Center Christian School, Hope Haven or Sioux Center Home Health and Hospice. Richard Herman Van Donge was born December 21, 1924, to Bart and Hattie (Lammers) Van Donge and raised on the family farm by Sioux Center, Iowa. Rich married Ida Miedema on March 23, 1950. They resided on the farm until he was called to serve our country. Rich was stationed at Camp Carson, Colorado, during the Korean Conflict. When returning to Iowa, they farmed for a period of time before building the Colonial Motel in 1965. In addition to managing the motel, Rich worked at Sioux Preme Packing as night maintenance. Once retired, Rich and Ida spent several summers managing a guest resort in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Ida passed away December 5, 2005. Rich was a charter member of Faith Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Center. Family and friends will reflect on great memories of his love for playing ball for many years, hunting pheasants, fishing, gardening, gopher trapping and puzzles. Those left to cherish his memories are his children, Byron "Byke" (Bonnie) of Sioux Center, Jane Van Donge of Downs, KS, Dan (Twila) of Sioux Center, Rachelle "Shelly" (Monty) Schoellerman of Sioux Center, Barbara (Brian) Mellema of Sioux Center and Norma (Dusty Martin) of Blue Earth, MN. Rich greatly enjoyed time with his 13 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren. Also left to cherish his memories are his sister, Henrietta "Girlie" Dibbet and brother, Herm (Nellie) Van Donge all of Sioux Center. In addition, his sisters-in-law: Jeanette Miedema, Frieda Bierma, Henrietta (Doug) Ribbens, Theresa Cleveringa and Dorothy (Leroy) Kleene. Rich was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Ida; his sister, Florence Hooyer; brothers-in-law: Albert Hooyer, John Dibbet, Henry Miedema, William Bierma and Nelson Cleveringa.