Jake Kieft

Jake Kieft, 85, of Sioux Center, IA died Tuesday, May 28, 2013, at the Heritage House Nursing Home of Orange City, IA. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 4-8PM, with the family present from 5-7PM at Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center. A funeral service will be held on Friday at 10AM at First Reformed Church with Rev. Roger Voskuil officiating. Interment will follow the service in Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center. The Kieft family prefer memorials be directed to Atlas Group LTD, 1275 7th Avenue NE, Sioux Center, Iowa 51250. Jacobus "Jake" Kieft was born in Barneveld, The Netherlands on May 4, 1928 to Jacob and Jokje (Mostert) Kieft. Jake was raised in Barneveld and attended Christian school through the eighth grade. On January 26, 1951 Jake was united in marriage to Gertrude A. Van Veldhuizen in Lester, Iowa. Following their marriage, Jake and Gert first lived in Inwood, Iowa where Jake was employed by Schoeneman's Lumber Co. They lived for a time in Hawarden, Iowa. There Jake started a business called the Home Decorating Center. Later they settled in Sioux Center, Iowa where Jake worked as a custodian for the City of Sioux Center and for Area Education Agency 4. In his retirement years Jake and his wife Gert started the 2nd Chance Depot where they bought and sold used furniture. This is where Jake loved to help people and fix up old things and make them look good again. Jake was a seasoned carpenter and built several homes over the years. Jake appreciated nature and especially enjoyed watching birds. Jake loved taking long walks where he would look at nature and reflect on life. During his retirement years Jake enjoyed meeting with a few good men in a coffee club where many serious talks of life would happen. He found great joy in being committed to his faith in Jesus and being active in the church. Jake was a member of the First Reformed Church of Sioux Center. He was known by many for his great sense of humor and love of life. Jake was preceded in death by his parents, Jacob and Jokje Kieft. Those who cherish Jake's Memory: Wife: Gert Kieft of Sioux Center Daughter: Joyce Kieft of Orange City Cami Jo and Darin Howrey Daina Jo, Carly Jo Cody Bultman Casey Bultman Adrianna, Micah, Josiah, Lyla Corey and Beth Gergen Morgan, Wyatt, Paige, Makinley Holly and Lance Awbrey Andy Gergen Daughter: Audrey and Keith Reid of Cedar Rapids, Iowa Angi Reid Alisha and Chad Erickson Mallory, Gabby Son: Jay and Carla Kieft of Spicer, Minnesota Jacob Kieft Lydia Kieft Son: Jerry and Linda Kieft of Sioux Center Tim and Nichole Van Dyke Nikki Van Dyke Ko Kieft Sister and brother-in-law: Mies and Gijs Van Veldhuizen of The Netherlands Nephew: Bert Van Veldhuizen