Howard Peter Westerkamp, son of Peter H. and Nellie L. Hiemstra Westerkamp, was born on May 24, 1941, at the family home near Peoria, Iowa. Howard passed away on Wednesday evening, September 8, 2010, at the Pella Regional Health Center at the age of sixty-nine.

Howard was raised on the family farm near Peoria and received his early education at Fleming Country School. Later he attended school in Sully and then in Pella. He graduated from Pella High School with the class of 1959.

On January 19, 1962, Howard was united in marriage with Bonnie Vander Linden at the First Reformed Church in Pella. They were blessed with three sons: Harris, Bryce, and Vance. Howard and Bonnie farmed near Pella all their married life.

Howard was a member of Trinity Reformed Church in Pella. Later in life, his passion for witnessing increased.

Farming was Howard's greatest love in life. He enjoyed the outdoors, planting crops, watching them grow, and finally reaping the harvest. He also enjoyed his equipment business, trucking, and attending many machinery and truck auctions. He enjoyed starting and owning the Pella MotorWorks business and being able to provide 4-wheelers for the grandkids to ride.

He loved his family and enjoyed spending time with his grandkids. He could often be found playing Rook or Chess with family members. He also enjoyed entertaining his family and friends on his pontoon boat.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Bonnie; three sons and their wives; ten grandchildren; two sisters: Mildred (Clifford) Vos and Norma (Wayne) Van Dyke; nieces and nephews; extended family; and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Peter H. Westerkamp in 1994 and Nellie L. Westerkamp in 2007; his sister, Francene Rooda in 2005; his father-in-law, Kenneth Vander Linden, in 2006; and his brother-in-law, Leo Vander Linden, in 2000.

Howard will be missed by the many, many friends he made throughout the country while trucking and attending machinery auctions. He will always be remembered as a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather, brother, and generous friend.

FUNERAL SERVICES

10:00 A.M., Monday, September 13, 2010
Trinity Reformed Church
Pella, Iowa

VISITATION

Sunday, September 12, 2010
2:00-5:00 P.M. with family present
at the Trinity Reformed Church - Discipleship Hall
Pella, Iowa

MEMORIALS

Gateway Community Church - Monroe, Iowa
Hospice of Pella

INTERMENT

Oakwood Cemetery
Pella, Iowa

Wife: Bonnie Westerkamp

Children:
Harris and Jacki Westerkamp - Bettendorf, Iowa
Heath, Haley, Kelsey, and Keaton

Bryce and Cherie Westerkamp - Pella, Iowa
Brandon, Camren, and Conner

Vance and Stephanie Westerkamp - Bettendorf, Iowa
Karson, Shanda, and Alexa

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