James John Koldenhoven

Service Live Stream Link

James Koldenhoven, age 90 of Sioux Center, IA, passed away on Wednesday, December 14, 2022, at Crown Pointe Estates in Sioux Center, Iowa.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00AM on Monday, December 19, 2022, at the First Christian Reformed Church of Sioux Center, Iowa with Reverend Kurt Monroe officiating.  There will be a time of fellowship with family and refreshments served from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.  A private family graveside service will be held prior to the service in Roseland Cemetery in Sanborn, Iowa.

The visitation without family present will be from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Sunday December 18, 2022, at Memorial Funeral Home.

Memorial gifts may be directed to the Dordt University Theatre Arts Center or the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 6129 of Sioux Center, Iowa.

James Koldenhoven, son of Gerrit and Alice (Bos) Koldenhoven, was born on January 17, 1932 near Ireton, Iowa.  He was the oldest of three children.  In 1944 the family moved to a farm near Sanborn, IA.  Jim attended Sanborn Christian School where classmates chuckled at his long last name and nicknamed him “Big Kope.”  He graduated from Western Christian High School in 1950.   Jim then attended Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan where he met his future wife, Sadie Draisma.  She was a city girl who fell in love with a country boy.  They were married on November 28, 1952 in Grand Rapids.  Jim accepted a job as principal and teacher at Ocheyedan Christian School back in Iowa, leaving his education unfinished. 

Jim was drafted by the US Army and assigned to an artillery unit in Fort Sill, Oklahoma from 1953-1955.  He finished his Teaching Degree at Calvin and returned to his Iowa roots in 1952, when he started teaching English at Western Christian, Hull.  It was here that he got his first hands-on experience with directing plays, which became his life calling.  In 1962 Jim earned his Masters Degree in English and Theater, University of South Dakota.  With encouragement from then President B.J. Haan, Jim accepted a position at Dordt College in Sioux Center.  He taught English and Theater classes.  Through Jim’s vision and tenacity, a Theater Arts Department was developed at Dordt.  Jim earned his Ph.D. in Theater Arts, University of Minnesota in 1982.  He directed over 50 plays.

Jim and Sally were blessed with two girls, Nancy and Cindy.  Jim adopted Piffy, a male Beagle, for some male companionship.  They were fast friends.  Jim was a long-time member of First Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Center and actively served in many capacities.  Jim also strongly believed in serving his community.  He served on boards with Sioux County Arts Council, Northwest Iowa Symphony Orchestra, and Sioux Center Rec & Arts.

Jim loved being outside and enjoyed camping, fishing, woodworking, cutting firewood, watching birds, and just sitting on the deck at the end of the day.  He loved his grandchildren and would delight in visiting with them about school, careers, life, and faith.  No subject was taboo.  Jim had an intentional desire to build strong relationships within his family, and by doing so was able to share and pass on his faith.  This is his legacy.

Grateful for having shared Jim’s life are his wife, Sally Koldenhoven; daughters, Nancy (Bill) Van Otterloo, Cindy (Brian) Groeneweg; grandchildren, Kyle Van Otterloo and wife Brandy, Eric Van Otterloo and wife Jenn, Kelly Vander Bush and husband Kris, Brittany Foreman and husband Dan, Raelle Van Mannen and husband Brent, Craig Groeneweg and wife Jessica, Kari Mulder and husband Cameron; 20 great-grandchildren; sister Marilyn Vander Ark and husband Cork.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Gerrit and Alice Koldenhoven; brother Henry Koldenhoven and sister-in-law Myrna Koldenhoven.