Erwin "Erv" Keizer

Erv Keizer, age 59 of Sioux Center, IA, died Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at Sioux Center Health Hospital in Sioux Center, IA following a short battle with cancer.

Visitation will be from 3-7PM with the family present from 5-7PM on Thursday, April 17, 2025 at Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center.

A prayer service will be held at 10:00AM on Friday, April 18, 2025, at New Life Church. Interment will follow the prayer service in Memory Gardens Cemetery in Sioux Center.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00AM on Friday, April 18, 2025, at New Life Church in Sioux Center, with Pastor Dan Kruse officiating.

The Keizer family prefers that memorials be directed to the New Life Church Mission Fund, Life 96.5 Christian Radio. Or the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Born on January 23, 1966, in Sheldon, IA, to Al and Nellie (Bakker) Keizer, Erv was the youngest of six children. He grew up in Perkins, IA, where he spent many happy hours playing ball and riding motorbikes with his neighbors. He attended Boyden-Hull schools and graduated with the class of 1984, forming many lifelong friendships. Erv and his friends were rambunctious and full of fun, and the teachers were relieved when they graduated. Erv found his greatest joy in playing sports, particularly basketball and football.

On May 25, 1991, Erv married the love of his life, Cindy Dykstra, from Bigelow, MN. They spent most of their married life in Sioux Center. They were blessed with five children: Eric, Erin, Emily, Haley, and Brett. Erv cherished being a father and often spent his time outside playing catch, shooting hoops, and riding bikes with the kids. He enjoyed attending their activities, especially sporting events, and he loved sharing his sports knowledge with them.

After high school, Erv began his career as a truck driver. Over his 40-plus years of work, he drove various trucks, from gravel trucks with Joe’s Ready Mix to semi-trucks with refrigerated trailers at Te Slaa Trucking. He also owned his own truck for several years, hauling a grain trailer. Between 2020 and 2023, Erv took a break from trucking to work as a custodian at Sioux Center High School. During this time, he became certified to officiate basketball, softball, and baseball, and he enjoyed refereeing and umpiring, often returning home with many entertaining stories to share.

However, trucking was in his blood, and Erv eventually returned to it, hauling feed ingredients for Circle J Trucking. He often expressed his love for the job, as he enjoyed driving and being home every night to attend his children’s activities.

Erv's Christian faith was a core part of his life, and he was actively involved in New Life Church in Sioux Center. There, he previously served as a deacon and participated in the chair setup team for many years. Recently, he joined the Bethel Bible Series class, where he enjoyed reading and discussing some of the lesser-known Old Testament stories with his classmates.

Preferring to serve behind the scenes, Erv volunteered frequently at Hot Harley Nights in Sioux Falls, which benefited the Make-A-Wish Foundation of South Dakota. This cause was close to his heart after his family went on a Make-A-Wish-sponsored trip after Erin fought cancer in 2013. He also volunteered at the Sanford International Golf Tournament, which benefits Sanford Children's Hospital, in appreciation for the care Erin received there.

Erv is survived by his loving wife of 33 years, Cindy Keizer; sons Eric and Brett; and daughters Erin, Emily, and Haley. He is also survived by his brother Larry and wife Lois of Watertown, SD; brother Arlyn and special friend Shirley Van Voorst of Brandon, SD; sister Marla and husband Ron Schmith of Hawarden, IA; brother Keith and wife Denise of Hull, IA; and brother Kevin and wife Lynda of Hull, IA, along with many nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Al and Nellie Keizer.