Jim Korver

Jim Korver, 96, of Orange City, IA died Wednesday, June 27, 2012 at the Heritage House Nursing Home in Orange City. A visitation will be held on Tuesday from 9:30-10:30AM at the American Reformed Church of Orange City. Interment will follow the visitation in the West Lawn Cemetery of Orange City. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday at 11:30AM at the American Reformed Church of Orange City with Rev. Keith Krebs officiating. The Korver family prefers memorials be directed to Orange City Home Health & Hospice. James "Jim" Jobert Korver was the youngest of 9 children born to George and Christina (Mouw) Korver. He received his elementary education at a country school near his home. His life was one of great responsibility to his parents. He loved the land and worked 160 acres with his favorite team of Belgium horses, which he trained. Later he used his team to contract jobs for assisting with removing dirt from newly dug basements. One of his largest contracts was with the WPA-City Hall. When Jim met Marian Elizabeth Noteboom daughter of Gerrit and Lyda (Schalekamp) Noteboom of Orange City he was hauling cream for the Sibley Creamery; later started cross country hauls for Sioux Oil. On June 25, 1940 Jim and Marian were married by Reverend Henry Korver, brother of Jim, in the American Reformed Church of Orange City. Jim later served on the church consistory for several years and was in charge of the bags of candy that were handed out every Christmas Eve to all the Sunday school children and teachers. After a serious blood poisoning Jim discontinued trucking and worked for Firestone until 1947 when he and his brother-in-law, Arie Bomgaars purchased the Ben Franklin Store in Orange City. In a few years Jim was sole owner and later changed the name of the store to Korver 5 &10. During these years his love for plants and flowers grew and soon he found himself as the OC Park Commissioner. Oh, how Jim loved the tulip beds and the variety of flowers that replaced the tulips. Shortly after his wife Marian died in 1980, Jim sold the store and retired in 1981. Together Jim and Marian raised 3 children: two daughters, Mary Louise who married Donley Vander Wel of Orange City; Marian Kay married Robert Myers of Des Moines, IA (they now reside in Leawood, KS) and a son, Robert James who wed Anne Denbock from Ontario, Canada (now living in Venice Beach, CA). Grandchildren and great grandchildren include the following: Stephen Blake Vander Wel and children: Brandi and Casey Muecke, Farrah and Travis De Jong, Dustin, Stephanie, and Ciera Vander Wel; Richard Grant Vander Wel and daughter, Sarah Tolk; Julie Rae Vander Wel and sons: Drake and Gavin Wrather; Kristin Kay and Patrick Trysla and children: Tatum, Cimone and Clayton; and Michael Patrick Myers. Jim's four great, great grandchildren are Shae and Kylie Muecke; and Jasmen and Tayton DeJong. Preceding in death: All of Jim's brothers and sisters and in-laws; his wife of 40 years, Marian (Noteboom) Korver, 1980; his wife for 14 years, Elaine Outhouse Korver, 1999; his wife of 9 years, Marion King Korver, 2008 and a great grandson, Gavin Ray Wrather age 10, 2009. Those left behind to cherish his memories are his family including his many wonderful nieces and nephews and cousins; his great friends at the Pioneer Home and his card playing buddies at the Senior Center; the sincere, kind and friendly caregivers at the Heritage House, Orange City Health System, Orange City Hospice and Dr. J. Grossmann; his American Church Family and Pastor Keith. Jim's family thanks you all.