Rev. Arnold Punt

     Rev. Arnold Punt, age 95, of Sioux Center, Iowa died Sunday, October 31, 2021, at Crowne Point Extended Care of Sioux Center.

     A visitation with the family present will be held from 5-7PM on Thursday, November 4, 2021, at the Carmel Reformed Church of Rural Rock Valley, Iowa.  The visitation will conclude with a prayer service with Rev. Aaron Punt, officiating.

     A family prayer service will be held at 10:00AM on Friday, November 5, 2021, at the Carmel Reformed Church. Interment will follow the prayer service in Carmel Cemetery.  

      A memorial service will be held at 11:00AM on Friday, November 5, 2021, at the Carmel Reformed Church with Rev. Stephen Breen officiating. Livestream of the memorial service: Arnold Punt Funeral Service

In lieu of flowers or gifts the Punt family prefers memorials be directed to Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa. 

Rev. Arnold Frank Punt, age 95, entered into the Joy of his Lord on Sunday Oct. 31, 2021.

Born to Frank and Jeanette (Peelen) Punt on July 2, 1926, Arnie (as he was known to many) began life as a farmer in Sioux County, Iowa and always had a love of the land and the labor of that noble profession.  He was also an excellent student and musician and graduated from Sioux Center H.S. at the age of 16 and attended Central College in Pella for one year.  He chose to go back to the farm and subsequently married Johanna Sandbulte on Nov. 16, 1949.

They continued to farm and raise a family until he answered the call of the Lord on his life and entered the life of a minister of the Gospel.  He and Johanna picked up their roots and young family and returned to Pella to complete college which was followed by 3 years of seminary in Holland, MI.

Arnold served five churches during his pastoral years with dedication and diligence:  Silver Creek Reformed in German Valley, IL, First Reformed in South Holland, IL, Faith Reformed in Zeeland, MI, Gibbsville Reformed in WI, and North Holland Reformed in Holland, MI.  Many dear friendships were made in each area and God blessed their ministry in each pastorate.  His ministry was defined by thoughtful study and a passionate delivery of the message of Jesus Christ.

Upon retirement they moved back to Sioux Center where he served the First Reformed Church of Sioux Center in many capacities.

Arnie and Johanna were always very generous with their children and grandchildren hosting many gatherings with good food and fun games.  Arnie was an excellent chef on the grill.   Many steaks, pork chops, and burgers were prepared under his watch.  He made sure to be very helpful to his family by lending help and support to getting everyone off on the right foot in housing and business ventures.

One of his greatest joys in retirement was being able to farm the family farm once again with his son Arnie Jr.   He loved giving the "Farm Tour" explaining the heritage of the land.  He always appreciated the sowing of the seed and the gathering of the harvest.............both in farming and in his ministry.

He is survived by his loving wife, Johanna (of nearly 72 years), 4 children:  Marla (Rick) Voorhies of Hudsonville, MI, Fonda (Tom) Paarlberg of Caledonia, MI, Arnie Jr. (Pam) Punt of Sioux Center, IA and LeAnne (Dean) Hengst of Cedarburg, WI; 12 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren: Adam (Julie) Paarlberg and their children: David, Caleb, Peter, Michael; Andrea (David) Vode and their children: Paige and Cooper; Elizabeth (Christopher) DeVries and their children: Mabel and Betsy; Kindra (Andrew) Tanis and their children: Brooklyn, Madison, Emma and Ben; Aaron (Elsie) Punt and their children: Atticus, Edmund and Marilla; Ryan (Sarah) Voorhies and their children: Claire and Ellen; Matthew (Nicole) Paarlberg and their children: Anna, Eleanor and Wesley; Jason Punt; Nathan (Lindsay) Punt; Nicholas (Courtney) Hengst; Dylan (Tierra) Hengst; Benjamin Hengst.

 He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Jeanette Punt.