Margaret Kooi

Margaret Kooi, 74, of Sioux Center, IA died Monday, February 4, 2008 at her winter home in Sebring, Florida.

A funeral service will be held Friday at 10:30AM at the Lebanon Christian Reformed Church of rural Sioux Center, with Rev. Mark Verbruggen officiating. Interment will follow in the Lebanon Cemetery of rural Sioux Center.

Visitation will be held Thursday from 2pm to 8pm, with the family present from 6pm to 8pm at the Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center.

The Kooi Family prefers memorials to Bethany Christian Services.


Margaret Jennie Kooi was born November 10, 1933 at Brooten, MN the daughter of Gerrit and Minnie (Schelhaas) Jansen. She was raised in Minnesota where she was the 13th of 15 children.

Margaret married Lane Kooi on January 17, 1953 in Brooten. They began their married life on a farm near Hudson, South Dakota and later farmed near Lebanon, Iowa. In 1989, they moved to Sioux Center. After their retirement, they spent their winter months in Florida where they made many new friends.

Margaret spent her life serving her Lord and caring for others. She enjoyed many hours spent with her family. She and Lane opened their home and heart to many young women through Bethany Christian services. She was a member of the First Christian Reformed Church of Sioux Center.

She was survived by her husband of 55 years, Lane Kooi of Orange City and Sebring, FL; four daughters and sons-in-law: Suzanne (Dick) Sheraden of Sebring, FL, Marjorie (Doug) Oolman of Orange City, IA, Lois (Larry) Keizer of Watertown, SD, Barb (Lyle) Wielenga of Avon, SD; 17 Grandchildren; 19 Great-Grandchildren; three sisters: Katherine Vander Beek of Paynesville, MN, Minnie Payne of Pioneer, CA, Johanna Toering and husband Cornie of Pipestone, MN; two brothers: Edward Jansen and wife Gloria of Atwater, MN, Ben Jansen of Cross Lake, MN a well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a still born son, Lane; three sisters: Laura Brink, Ann Lofton, and Josie Moak; six brothers: Henry, Gerrit, Nick, Albert, John and an infant brother John.