Kenny Sandbulte

Kenneth Sandbulte, 80, of Carmel, IA passed away Friday evening, June 25. Surrounded by his family, he died peacefully, at his home, in the arms of his wife of 59 years. Visitation will be held Monday from 4-8PM, with the family present from 5-8PM at the Carmel Reformed Church of Rural Rock Valley A funeral service will be held Tuesday at 2PM at Carmel Reformed Church of rural Rock Valley with Rev. Mark Heijerman officiating. Interment will follow the service in Carmel Cemetery of rural Rock Valley. Arrangements are being completed with Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center. Kenneth (Kenny) Sandbulte was one of 15 children born to Henry and Minerva Sandbulte of rural Sioux Center, IA. Kenny attended country school in Carmel, and attended Sioux Center high school for one year until June 1944, when a tornado forced him to quit and help rebuild the family farm. Kenny married Florence Van't Hof on December 26, 1950. They began their married life on an 98 acre farm around Carmel. After 10 years, they bought the larger neighboring farm and settled their growing family into the old farmhouse. Nine years later they built the current farmhouse where they lived and brought up 12 children. In later years, Kenny and Florence moved to a small acreage south of the family farm. Kenny's early life was filled with raising children, farming, and playing fast pitch softball. He was an active member of Carmel Reformed Church where he served on consistory, taught Sunday School, served as a youth group sponsor, and was a mainstay of Carmel's Vacation Bible School. Throughout his life, Kenny's love for children and youth was unsurpassed and he had a special spot in his heart for the handicapped and disadvantaged. Kenny helped to establish Harmony Home, served on the board of Amistad Christiana, and was an M2 visitor in the Sioux Falls Penitentiary Prison ministry. Kenny was a lifelong horse and mule enthusiast. His horse adventures are legendary and would become his family's legacy. Kenny is survived by his wife of 59 years, Florence; his 12 children: Bonnie and Mike Hofmeyer of Sheldon, Nancy and Richard Dykstra of Hull, Henry and Sue (Ter Hark) Sandbulte of Dayton, MN, Merlyn and Donna (Ellis) Sandbulte of Rock Valley, Lauren of Hull, Wendell of Hull, Brenda and Jim Shannon of Springfield, MO, Nolan and Sheila (Haan) of Sioux Center, Vicki and Glenn VanderLugt of Hawarden, Shelley Timmer of Rock Valley, Pam and Rick Meitzler of Barrington Hills, IL, Shawn and Jami (Vollink) of Rock Valley. There are 45 grandchildren, 55 with grand-children's spouses, and 32 great grandchildren. Two brothers and six sisters survive, Bernard and Leona Sandbulte of Luverne MN, Delmar and Betty Sandbulte of Sioux Center, Johanna and Rev. Arnold Punt of Sioux Center, Lois and Harold VanMaanen of Rock Valley, Norma and John Boogerd of Hull, Henrietta and Arnold Van Kley of Rock Valley, Carol and Clarence Van Voorst of Hull, Muriel and Bob Oostra of Hull; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Rodney and Karlene Van't Hof of Sioux Center, Roger and Lori Van't Hof of Orange City, Gene and Becky Van't Hof of Eden Prairie, MN and many nieces and nephews. Those who he has joined in Heaven are his parents, Henry and Minerva, parents-in-law, Bernie and Henrietta Van't Hof, grandson, Graham VanderLugt, daughter-in-law, Cathy Sandbulte and six brothers: Jim, Milton and four who died in infancy. Online Condolences Amy Den Herder Sioux Center Relationship: Friend I just want to express my sincere sympathy in the passing of great man! My best memory of Kenny was every year when I got to visit with him at the flower shop for Mother's Day. He was always sooo excited to send all of the flowers out to his loved ones. I know that he was a great encourager and was always there for you! May your hearts be filled with many great memories! Sent: 6/27/2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jerry H Kats Escondido Relationship: Cousin We can rest in the comfort Kenny had, our Savior Jesus Christ. We can thank God for his witness to us all. Sent: 6/27/2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lora (Bandstra) Top Manson Relationship: Classmate of Shawn Shawn & Family - So sorry to hear about the loss of your father. I am convinced that God wants the best to be surrounded with. I hope and pray that you find comfort and peace that your Dad is now well again and has found a great Joy. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Sent: 6/28/2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Leigh Van Dis& Family West Des Moines Relationship: Friend of Family What a Wonderful man Kenny was, I have such fond memories of him. I will always remember his laugh, it gives me the chuckles just to think about it=). I was NEVER a farm girl, but when you were at Grandpa Kenny's farm you were!!!! My thought's and Prayers are with all the Family-Leigh Van Dis& Family Sent: 6/28/2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rebecca (Sandbulte) Roland Grinnell Relationship: great niece I send my sympathy out to all of Kenny's family. His light is living on in Heaven now. Sending you my prayers and love. love - Rebecca Sent: 6/28/2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tara doon Relationship: great nieces mother thoughts and peayers to all of Kenny loved ones. I want to share this special memory- When My daughter was about 2 years old Kenny took me and her out for dinner. When we were done, he turned to me and said she is quite the little butterfly. I said what do you mean, he said she has a light in her, and she flys from one person to another. I remember laughing and Kate looked at him and said yes i am i a putterfly. Thank you Kenny for your kindness that showed through no matter what life threw. Sent: 6/28/2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dave Schouten alton Relationship: friend So sorry on your loss. May God be with everyone of you at this time and forever. Sent: 6/28/2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Daryl Kats Rock Valley Relationship: Kenny is my Mother's cusin I just think Kenny was one of the wealthiest man. He had what money will never buy. Look at his family picture! WOW! The legacy of love, the energy of young buck, a smile that will always be in my memory. Last June in the Sioux Center Park (Hope Haven Gospel Sing) I remember Kenny holding my hand and other hand on my ...shoulder, looking into my eyes, saying "I have had a good life and I have enjoyed my life and I had fun!" "If God calls me home, I am ready". So are you ready ? How are people going to remember you? Sent: 6/28/2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Barb and Brian Harpling Las Vegas Relationship: Friend Pam/Rick - We were so sorry to hear about your dad Pam. All of our love and prayers go out to you and your family. Although we didn't know him well, we can tell he was a very special man. Love and prayers, Barb and Brian Sent: 6/29/2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dan Schouten Tokyo Relationship: Friend of Family To Florence, Henry, Bonnie, Nancy, Merlyn, Lauren, Wendell, Brenda, Nolan, etc, etc, Please accept my condolences on the passing of Kenny. He made the world a better place. Thank you all for the many fond memories. Dan Sent: 6/30/2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- J R Funkhouser Family Rogersville Relationship: Family Friends May the love of your father continue to manifest itself within your hearts, from this day forward. With deepest sympathy from our family to yours. Sent: 6/30/2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Melinda Schut Tibbetts Sioux Falls Relationship: friend You all have my deepest sympathy. Going to school with about half you kids reminds me of all the fond memories your family will have with so many of you...an extra hi to Henry..Mel Sent: 7/2/2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Duane & Viv Reeves Orange City Relationship: Friend Dear Merlyn & Donna-- We are so sorry to learn of your loss. We know how hard it is to lose a parent and pray you will experience deep comfort and consolation from the Spirit of the Lord. With deep sympathy-- Duane & Viv Sent: 7/5/2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Leo and Cherie Statema Zeeland Relationship: Cousins Dear Florence and Family, We were so sorry to hear about the Loss of Kenny. His memories will live on forever in our minds. May God's Grace be with you and your Family. We are so happy we were able to be at the Sandbulte Reunion last Summer and Camp with the Family! With Love and Prayers Leo and Cherie Statema Sent: 7/5/2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mike Brommer Norfolk Relationship: Friend Kim and I send our deepest sympathies and many prayers to all of you for the loss of a much loved Husband, Dad and Friend to you all! I always enjoyed talking to you're dad and he always made me laugh! We are all blessed for knowing him in so many ways. He was and always be an inspiration to so many people! God Bless you all and you're in our prayers,Take Care Mike and Kim Brommer Sent: 8/4/2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sami Rock Valley Relationship: Great- Granddaughter I am Kenny's Great Granddaughter. My parents are Eric and Nicole of Merlyn and Donna. It has been so hard to not have him at my birthday party, Chrtistmas time, and at my Proffession of Faith ceremony. Seeing you guys writing on this page about my Grandpa makes me smile to know how many people loved him. You guys don't know how much it means to us to see you write on this. We appreciate this all, I look at this page twice a week and read over some of your writings every chance I get. We appreciate this and love you all. God Bless Ya'll. Sent: 1/23/2011