John B. Van Voorst

JOHN B. VAN VOORST, 95, of Sioux Center, IA died Wednesday morning, January 9, 2007 at Royale Meadows Care Center in Sioux Center.

A funeral service will be held Friday at 1:30pm at the Bethel Christian Reformed Church of Sioux Center with Rev. Duane Tinklenberg and Rev. Arnold Punt officiating. Interment will follow the funeral service in Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center.

Visitation will be held Thursday from 4pm to 8pm, with the family present from 6pm to 8pm at the Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center.

The Van Voorst Family prefers memorials to the Bethel Christian Reformed Church Building Fund or Royale Meadows Care Center, c/o Sioux Center Community Hospital Foundation.

John B. Van Voorst was born December 27, 1912 to Bert and Hattie (Schut) Van Voorst in Volga, SD. His family lived in Colton, SD until he was 12 years old, at which time they moved back to the Sioux Center area. He graduated from Sioux Center Community High School and worked for a short time at De Jong Hatchery. John attended Morningside College where he received his teaching certificate. He taught five years at a country school northwest of Sioux Center.

On February 23, 1938, John was joined in marriage to Harriet Broek in the Broek family home. After their marriage John and Harriet began farming. They farmed together for nearly 70 years.

While on the farm John raised cattle and hogs. He always enjoyed being a part of agriculture and enjoyed raising livestock. John was also active in the community and served on the Farmers COOP Board of Directors and the Sioux Center Christian School Board.

John was a longtime member of Bethel Christian Reformed Church of Sioux Center, having served as an elder, a Sunday School teacher and as the chairman of the present Church Facility Building Committee.

Johns greatest joy was his family and the special times they shared together.

John is survived by his wife of nearly 70 years, Harriet of Sioux Center; three sons and daughters-in-law: Rob and Carol Van Voorst, Harlan G. and Linda Van Voorst and Paul and Judy Van Voorst all of Sioux Center; daughter and son-in-law, Helma and Gerrit Davelaar of Inwood; 18 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law, Theodore and Geraldine Van Voorst of Sioux Center; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Don and Anna Mae Broek of Sioux Center; sisters-in-law: Margaret Feekes, Evadean Broek andJune Broek all of Sioux Center and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Hermina Van Voorst; brother, Richard B. Van Voorst; son-in-law, Davis Tebben; brothers-in-law: Arnold Feekes, Marion Broek, Al Broek; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, John W. and Noreen Broek.