Richard Vanden Brink

Richard Vanden Brink, 88, of Sioux Center, IA died Monday, November 18, 2013 at the Sioux Center Community Hospital surrounded by his family and loved ones. A funeral service will be held Thursday at 10:30 AM at the Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center with Rev. G.J. Baan officiating. Interment will follow in Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center, IA. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 4-8PM, with the family present from 6-8PM at the Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center. Richard Vanden Brink was born on April 8, 1925 to Steven and Jennie (Van Ravenswaay) Vanden Brink on a farm near Ireton, Iowa. He was raised on farms in the Sioux Center, Iowa area, attending country schools through 8th grade. From January 30, 1945 to November 21, 1946, Richard served in Japan as a member of the United States Army during World War II. Following his honorable discharge, he worked at Coop Gas & Oil in Sioux Center. Richard was joined in marriage to Lavina Van Ginkel on February 22, 1952 at her parent's home in Rock Valley, Iowa. Richard and Lavina farmed near Rock Valley, Rock Rapids and the last 27 years near Sioux Center. They retired to Sioux Center in 1989. Richard loved farming and the lifestyle it provided. He was a lifelong member of the Netherlands Reformed Congregation of Sioux Center. After retiring he enjoyed spending time fishing or playing games with his family. For many years he looked forward to meeting friends for coffee each morning at the mall. Richard is survived by his wife of 61 years, Lavina Vanden Brink of Sioux Center; three children and their spouses: Audrey and Wayne Koenen of Rock Valley, Jan and Ron Boon of Sioux Center, James and Nicole (Hegeman) Vanden Brink of Carmel; his 8 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; two sisters, Henrietta Vanden Brink of Hull and Josephine Koedam of Rock Valley; brother and sister-in-law, John and Henrietta Vanden Brink of Sioux Center as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a son, Randall Lee Vanden Brink; granddaughter-in-law, Alexandra "Sacha" Boon; his parents; brother and sister-in-law, Steve and Tillie Vanden Brink; sister, Gertrude Vanden Brink; brother-in-law, Everett Koedam; 4 brothers and 1 sister in infancy.