HOWARD KIEL, 81, of Sioux Center, IA died unexpectedly Saturday, September 27, 2008 from injuries sustained in a farming accident.
A funeral service will be held Wednesday at 10am at the First Reformed Church of Sioux Center with Rev. Wilmer Vermeer officiating. Interment will follow in Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center.
Visitation will be held Tuesday from 2pm to 8pm, with the family present from 6pm to 8pm at the Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center.
The Kiel Family prefers memorials to Unity Christian High School of Orange City.
Howard Kiel was born on September 17, 1927 to John and Marie (Huisman) Kiel. He was raised on the family farm between Orange City and Maurice, and attended country school through the eighth grade. Howard served his country in the US Army as a land surveyor in Japan following World War II.
On February 22, 1952, he married Marie Vreugdenhil in Sioux Center. They made their home on the farm until 1993 when they settled in Sioux Center. Marie passed away after 45 years of marriage on May 26, 1997.
On November 15, 1998 Howard was united in marriage to Grada Schuiteman in Sioux Center. They enjoyed traveling together, taking loads of grain to Sioux City, and playing Rummikub on Sunday afternoons.
Presently, he was a member of First Reformed Church of Sioux Center. Previously Howard was a member of Bethel Christian Reformed Church of Sioux Center where he served on the council and various committees.
Howard loved farming and enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He was instrumental in the formation of the Southern Sioux County Rural Water System in the 1970s.
He knew where to get a good cup of coffee, donuts, and popcorn.
He will be remembered for his solid faith and love for the Lord Jesus Christ.
Howard is survived by his wife, Grada Kiel of Sioux Center; two daughters, one son, 14 grandchildren and 1 great grandson: Linda Top of Maurice and her children: Philip of Livermore, CA, Sara of Lafayette, IN and Nicole of Maurice; Diane and Dr. Sherwin Brantsen of Muskegon, MI and their children: Jonathan, Jennifer, Joel, Julia and Jayme Brantsen all of Muskegon, MI; Virgil and Janet Kiel of Maurice and their children: Cristina (Michael) Mulder and son Jacob of Orange City, Ryan (Brittany) Kiel of Orange City, Jeffrey (fiance, Kasondra Calkhoven) Kiel of Maurice, Benjamin, Elizabeth and Anna Kiel all of Maurice. Also surviving Howard are four sisters: Hilda (Dick) Addink of Sioux Center, Hermina Hulstein of Hull, Mary (Hank) Addink of Orange City, Evelyn Kroeze of Orange City; three brothers: Bill (Joan) Kiel of Sanborn, Clarence (Myrtle) Kiel of Orange City, Vernon (Geri) Kiel of Alton; a sister-in-law, Edna Kiel of Fullerton, CA and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his first wife, Howard was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Raymond Top; a sister, Kathryn Wassinkand her husband, Arend; two brothers: Steve Kiel and his wife, Henrietta and Raymond Kiel; two brothers-in-law: Steven Hulstein and Orville Kroeze.