Dick Kraayenbrink

Dick Kraayenbrink was born on May 8, 1937, in Sioux Center, Iowa, son of Ben  and Jeanette (Van Roekel) Kraayenbrink. He attended country schools for the first eight years. He attended Sioux Center High and played on the 1955 team that went to the State Tournament. After school he enlisted in the U.S. Army and went to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, for basic training. Later, he was at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas.

Dick met Virginia Mae Overlander at the Sieperda skating rink, and they were married on June 2, 1956, at the Fort Bliss Army Chapel in El Paso, Texas. Their first son, Daniel, was born in the army hospital on June 28, 1957. After being discharged from the army, Dick farmed a couple years with his father near Sioux Center. Their second son Steven, was born March 24, 1959, in Sioux Center. In 1960, they moved to Bellflower, California, where Dick put up awnings on mobile homes for a couple years. Moving back to the farm near Inwood, Iowa, took place in 1962. Their third son Michael, was born on his mother's birthday on March 26, 1963, at the Canton-Inwood Hospital. Too many acres, back problems and low prices drove them back to California, where Dick worked in the awning business again. Their only daughter Rachel Ann was born on Jan. 23, 1967, in Bellflower, California. Virgie and Dick bought an acreage near Sioux Center, not intending to move back right away, but a job was offered to Dick, so it was back to the Midwest. They were a family of sport enthusiasts, so living back in Iowa was a plus. Dick worked at the Coop Elevator, was with Living Industries, A & K Structures, and EW Groschopp Manufacturing Company. Most of their years they called Sioux Center their home. In 1993, they moved to Pella to be closer to families.  Faith, family and friends meant everything to him. He was always supporting and encouraging of all of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren in their activities. He attended countless events with such joy and gratitude. Dick loved their time after retirement with SOWERS (Servants On Wheels Ever Ready). They traveled across the U.S. and helped with mission projects. He built a  wagon that he pulled with his 1937 John Deere tractor, and blessed many people with memorable rides.

Dick was a member of Liberty Evangelical Free Church where he served as an elder and helped oversee the building project of the new church facility. He loved to share his faith with love, grace and wisdom. This was so important to him to bring people to know and love our Lord.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife Virgie and their family:

Dan and Doreen Kraayenbrink, Pella

               Lindsey and Josh Steenhoek

                               Braden, Daniella

               Micah and Emma Kraayenbrink

                               Cecilia, Charlie

               Kiley and Andrea Kraayenbrink

                               Mila, Peyton         

Steve and Deb Kraayenbrink, Pella

               Jessica and Matt Hugg

                               Ava, Wyatt, Isabelle, Layla, Ryder

               Heather and Stephen Barnes

                               Tyson, Kyla, Taelynn, Koby, Trey, Caidan

               Erin and Patrick Dempsey

                               Hadleigh, Theo, Landon

Mike and Laurie Kraayenbrink, Sibley

               Katlyn and Steven De Vries

                               Ada, Ben

               Michelle and Jordan Roddell

               Andrew and Lexy Kraayenbrink

               Nathan Kraayenbrink

Rachel and Steven Ballenger, Ankeny

               Megan Ballenger

               Alyssa Ballenger

He is also survived by his brother Alvin Kraayenbrink and his sisters,  Bernice Vander Stouwe, and Joyce Brown.

He was preceded in death by his parents Ben and Jeanette Kraayenbrink, his sisters: Linda Lyons and Darlene Moss, his brother Harry Kraayenbrink, and his grandson Joshua Kraayenbrink.

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