John Henry Kok

     John Henry Kok, age 71, of Sioux Center, Iowa passed away after a brief illness on Sunday, July 5, 2020, at his home surrounded by his wife and children.

     A memorial service will take place at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 8, 2020, at Covenant Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Center, IA, with Rev. Joel Kok officiating. Due to the current conditions of social distancing, a very limited number of chairs will be available.

     The service will be livestreamed on the Covenant Christian Reformed Church Facebook page.

     The family is deeply grateful for the memories you have already shared with us. Please continue to do so on the Memorial Funeral Home website guest book link.

     In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please go out and love your neighbor.

     John Kok was born in Grand Rapids, MI on December 19, 1948 to Herman and Jean (Griffioen) Kok and grew up in the Chicago, IL area. He attended Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, IL and completed his education at the Free University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

     John met his wife, Sanneke at Trinity Christian College and they were married in Grand Rapids, MI in 1969. They were blessed with a wonderful family of five daughters and two sons. In 1983 John began a thirty-one-year long philosophy teaching and administrative career at Dordt University in Sioux Center, IA. In his retirement, John enjoyed freelance translating and editing. John and Sanneke enjoyed traveling and visiting their children and grandchildren around the world. His family is grateful to God for his life and love.

     He is survived by his wife, Sanneke; children, Vanessa and Eric Bartels, Jennifer and Robert Van Leeuwen, André and Jessica Kok, Sarah and Justin Hanley, Emily Kok and Abigail Kok; beloved grandchildren, Dylan, Joseph, Isaac, Elsie, Tristan, Calvin, Noah, Pieter, Anneke, Eloise, Jay, Micheala, Levi, Lizzie, Maddy, Brooke, Isaac and Ezra; nieces, nephews and other extended family members.

     John was preceded in death by his son Peter Klaas Kok; grandson, Benjamin Bartels, brother, Philip Kok and father, Herman Kok.