Loren De Zwarte was born January 15, 1930, to James and Nettie (Verros) De Zwarte near Durham/Harvey, Iowa. He passed away at Westridge Specialty Care in Knoxville on August 1, 2026.

Loren grew up on a farm and attended Eureka Country Grade School. Loren was drafted in the U.S. Army and was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. He also spent some time stationed in Alaska. On July 30, 1952, he married Beulah De Vries. To this union 11 children were born. Loren was a member of Covenant Reformed Church in Pella.

Surviving are nine children:

Lila Gullion of Knoxville, Iowa

Darrell (Rhonda) De Zwarte of Pella, Iowa

Larry (Janice) De Zwarte of Knoxville, Iowa

Sheila (Jim) Van Donselaar of Grandville, Michigan

Lisa (Kevin) Rowe of Hudsonville, Michigan

Tresa (Tim) Koole of Jenison, Michigan

Lonnie (Danece) De Zwarte of Pella, Iowa

Angela Tenbrock of Grand Rapids, Michigan

Pamela (Mike) Cleary of Hudsonville, Michigan

53 grandchildren, 115 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Loren was the last surviving member of his original family. He was preceded in death by his wife Beulah January 1, 2013, two of his children, LeAnn in 1969 and infant son, Anthony Ray in 1974, great-granddaughter Sarah Lunsford; sons-in-law Larry Gullion and Brian Ten Brock; his parents, parents-in-law; a sibling who died at birth in 1917; sister Ruby, who died at the age of one year in 1932; brothers Marvin De Zwarte and Raymond De Zwarte, and sisters, Dorothy Ter Louw and Erma Steenhoek, brothers-in-law Gilford Steenhoek, Apollas Ter Louw and Vernon De Vries, and sisters-in-law Annabelle De Zwarte, Marilyn De Vries and Mildred De Zwarte.

Loren dearly appreciated Every Step Hospice for the homemaker and nurse services they provided allowing him to stay in his apartment as long as he was able. Also, a sincere thank you to his oldest granddaughter Lori Lunsford and her husband Randy for the consistent visits over the years.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Every Step Hospice in Knoxville, Iowa.