Kenneth Lee Kooyman was born May 31, 1931, to Simon A. and Bertha (Van Zomeren) Kooyman, in Pella, Iowa. He passed away unexpectedly on January 29, 2017, in Pella.

Ken attended Pella Christian Grade School and was a 1948 graduate of the old Pella Christian High School, where he enjoyed playing basketball.

Ken was employed at the Pella Co-Op at the time he was called into the service. He was drafted into the Army on February 14, 1952, and went to Fort Hood for training. He attained the rank of Corporal and served in the Korean War. He was released from active military service on January 23, 1954, and transferred to Army Reserve for eight years.

On March 16, 1954, Ken married Phyllis Joan Hasselman at the Third Reformed Church in Pella. To this union they were blessed with three sons: Craig, Curtis and Joel. During their first four years of marriage, Ken and Phyllis lived in Pella, Redlands, California, Ashburn, Missouri and Stronghurst, Illinois before resettling in Pella. Ken helped build the house in Pella where they lived for 54 years; it happened to be less than two blocks from the house where he was born and raised. He spent a lot of time looking through his kitchen window across Caldwell Park at his childhood home recalling his old memories. He liked telling people he did not move very far.

Ken was a partner in the Phillips 66 Gas Station in south Pella, farmed for four years, and was a realtor for one and half years. He retired from Van Gorp Manufacturing in 1993, after 25 years of employment. Ken enjoyed fixing things and creating a way to make things work. He enjoyed good meals that Phyllis prepared, food and fellowship with friends at restaurants, and just relaxing at home. Ken and Phyllis enjoyed traveling together both within the United States and to India, Costa Rica and Europe. Ken loved going to his children and grandchildren's activities, playing with them and watching them grow. He was a member of the American Legion for 27 years, and a member of Trinity Reformed Church for many years.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife Phyllis of nearly 63 years, and his sons: Craig Kooyman of Pleasantville, Iowa, Curtis (Rhonda) Kooyman of Kearney, Nebraska, Joel Kooyman of High Ridge, Missouri, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother: Wallace "Wally" Kooyman.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Marvin Kooyman.

Visitation

Noon, Thursday, February 2, 2017
Garden Chapel Funeral Home
Family present 5:00 - 7:00 P.M.

Funeral Services

10:30 A.M., Friday, February 3, 2017
Trinity Reformed Church
Pella, Iowa

In Lieu Of Flowers Memorials May Be Given To

Lake View Camp
Trinity Reformed Church

Family

Wife: Phyllis Kooyman, Pella, Iowa
Children: Craig Kooyman, Pleasantville, Iowa
Curtis and Rhonda Kooyman, Kearney, Nebraska
Joel Kooyman, High Ridge, Missouri