William Kooi

Bill Kooi age 90, of Sioux Center, Iowa died, Sunday, January 28, 2024, surrounded by his family at his Sioux Center residence.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, February 5, 2024, at Faith Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Center with Rev. Bob Pollema officiating.  Livestream link:William Kooi Service

A prayer service open to family and friends will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday, at Faith Christian Reformed Church. Interment with Military Honors will follow the prayer service in Memory Gardens Cemetery in Sioux Center.

A visitation with family present will be held from 3:00-5:00 PM on Sunday, February 4, 2024, at Memorial Funeral Home in Sioux Center. 

In lieu of flowers the Kooi family prefer memorials to be directed to the Sioux City Gospel Mission or Sioux Center Hospice. 

William Donald Kooi was born on March 6, 1933, the son of John and Gertie (Vander Lugt) Kooi in Lebanon.  He grew up on a farm near Ireton and graduated from Ireton High School.  

Bill joined the United States Army and served from 1953 to 1955, spending time in Korea.  After his honorable discharge, he was united in marriage to his sweetheart, Margaret “Mike” Kaemingk on November 18, 1955, in Sioux Center, Iowa.  They lived on the family farm near Ireton where they raised their eight children and operated a dairy along with other livestock. In addition to farming, he was also a Conklin distributor.  He has many fond memories of raising his children on the farm and the vacations they took.  Mike passed away from a battle with Lymphoma on November 14, 1997.

Bill was a member of the Sioux Center VFW, Sioux City Milk Producers, several school boards, the Rural Water board and various other boards.  He was a member of Lebanon Christian Reformed Church for most of his life where he served as elder and deacon and loved sharing his faith with others as a Sunday School teacher and telling everyone about Jesus. He became a member at Faith Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Center, then First Christian Reformed Church in Orange City, and recently returned to Faith CRC.  He was active in all the churches.

Bill always looked forward to playing pool with his friends at the senior center, bowling and attending events and programs of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He enjoyed his hobby farm and raising llamas. He often went on antique tractor club rides and participated in parades.  He was still helping others farm well into his 80’s. He always had a positive attitude and a story to tell…Bill enjoyed people and people enjoyed Bill.

Bill was united in marriage to Gertrude (Vander Stoep) Mohlenkamp on July 3, 1998.  They lived on an acreage south of Sioux Center for several years before moving to Orange City.  They recently moved back to Sioux Center when he turned 90.  They enjoyed traveling together and had many adventures.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Gertrude of 25 years; his children: Vivian (Charles) Johnson of North Muskegon, MI; Sheryl (Kelly) Hulstein of Sioux Center, IA; Keith (Karla) Kooi of Sioux Center, IA; Cinda (Randy) Vande Griend of Rock Valley, IA; Myron Kooi of Norfolk, NE; Kevin (Mauritia) Kooi of Montague, MI; Sheresa (Mike) Nieuwsma of Prior Lake, MN; and John (Susan) Kooi of Inwood, IA; 26 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren.  After losing his first wife, Bill married Gert and welcomed her family in as his own: Rhonda (Randy) Scholten of Sanborn, IA; Dave Mohlenkamp of Beaver Creek, MN; and Tim (Debbie) Mohlenkamp of Royalton, MN along with 9 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

Vivian Keene (Chuck) Johnson family:  James Keene III, and Emily (Aaron) Bearden.

Sheryl (Kelly) Hulstein family: Erica (Greg) Schut, Stephanie (Nate) Burger, and Ross (Nikki) Hulstein.

Keith (Karla) Kooi family: Krysta (Matt) Coy, Kerry (Jayne) Kooi, Kisara Kooi, and Kyler Kooi.

Cinda (Randy) Vande Griend family: Brad Vande Griend, Elizabeth Vande Griend, and Nolan Vande Griend.

Myron Kooi family: Andrea Kooi, Mallorie (Jason) Smotherman, and Jacob Kooi.

Kevin (Mauritia) Kooi family: Evan Follmar, Alicea (Nick) Kawula, Jessica Kooi, and Amanda Kooi.

Sheresa (Mike) Nieuwsma family: Megan (Corey) Evans and Andrew (Abby) Nieuwsma.

John (Susan) Kooi family: Austin (Jordyn) Kooi, William Kooi, Joshua Kooi, Eliana Kooi, and Maggie Kooi.

Rhonda (Randy) Scholten family: Rebecca (Mike) Manson, Richard (Renee) Scholten, and Ray Scholten.

Dave Mohlenkamp family: Brogan (Katherine) Mohlenkamp, Riley (Josh) Muller, Tate Mohlenkamp, and Matéa Mohlenkamp.

Tim (Debbie) Mohlenkamp family: Katelin (Joshua) Swanson and Kelsey (Travis) Heins.

Bill is also survived by his siblings, Elmer (Karen) Kooi and sister-in-law, Nella Kooi; brothers-in-law, Edwin “Bud” (Norene) Vander Stoep and Harold (Bernice) Vander Stoep; and sister-in-law Kathleen Steenhoven and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife Mike of 42 years; son-in-law, Jerry Keene; infant grandson, Kyle Hulstein; siblings, Dreaka (Hank) Van Ballegooyen, Grace (Cornie) Harthoorn, Randall (Mary) Kooi, and Pete Kooi; his parents-in-law, Theodore Sr. and Alice Kaemingk; and in-laws, Arnold (Helen) Kaemingk, Harold Kaemingk, Tuni Kaemingk, Wilemina (Arvin) Schuiteman, and Theodore (Ravina) Kaemingk.

Blessed be the memory of William Donald Kooi.