Willem Karel Scholten was born on June 2, 1920, in Overschie, the Netherlands, to Arie and Pieterje (Post) Scholten. He attended grade school through the eighth grade when he started working full-time for a construction contractor at age fourteen. He went through trade school by taking night classes and graduated at the age of nineteen.

In January 1943, he made profession of his faith. On February 1, 1943, Willem was united in marriage to Pleuntje Cornelia "Cora" Bass in Overschie, the Netherlands. Shortly after being married, Willem was ordered to report to a slave labor camp in Essen, Germany, where he spent nine months. He was able to escape from the camp and spent two-and-one-half years hidden by the Dutch underground in northern Holland on a seed farm. There he performed various tasks, including spinning wool and working for the underground resistance.

In 1951, Willem and Cora, along with their three children, immigrated to America. They lived in Pella until 1958, becoming United States citizens in 1956. Two more children were born to them.

In 1958, Willem started a construction business in Sully with Don Vander Linden. After Don passed away in 1977, another partnership was formed with Melvin Van Genderen and Mark Scholten, which they named Scholten & Sons Construction. He built approximately 120 new homes in and around Sully before retiring in 1982.

In his retirement, Willem enjoyed riding his BMW motorcycle, fishing, and hunting. He continued his interest in woodworking and enjoyed mission trips that included working in the Ukraine and in Mississippi. He and Cora liked to travel and especially enjoyed returning to Holland. Willem loved spending time with his family and grandchildren. He always enjoyed fellowship over coffee after church on Sunday.

Those left to cherish his memory are the following: his wife, Cora; daughter Yvonne Osmond of Johnston; son Arie and Elaine Scholten of Sully; daughter Shirley and Melvin Van Genderen of Sully; and son Mark and Sarah Scholten of Lynnville. He was preceded in death by his son, Willie C. Scholten, and his parents.

Family:
Cora Scholten of Sully

Yvonne Osmond of Johnston
Stephanie Osmond
Kenzie DeBolt
William "Andre" (Gina) Osmond
Natasha Osmond and Scott Forcht
Ruby Forcht

Arie J. (Elaine) Scholten of Sully
Shawna (Doug) Maasdam
Brett and Kaylee
Eric Scholten
Suzanne (Josh) Rozendaal
Corrina and Jordyn

The late Willie Scholten
Jodi (Jeremy) Schnell
Makenna and Keegan
Jeffrey Scholten
Vance and Ransom
Julie (Nick) Irlmeier
Willa

Shirley (Melvin) Van Genderen of Sully
Nicole (Tim) Dunsbergen
Blake, Caden, and Carson
Amanda (Dwight) Vander Ley
Piper
Shelly (Jon) Rankin

Mark (Sarah) Scholten of Lynnville
Annette (Derrick) Zimmerman
Allen
Andrew

FUNERAL SERVICES

1:00 P.M. Thursday, December 27, 2012
Sully Christian Reformed Church
Sully, Iowa

VISITATION

Starting at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, December 26, 2012
at the Sully Garden Chapel Funeral Home with family present 5:00 - 7:00 P.M.

MEMORIALS

Sully Christian Schools

FAMILY

Wife: Cora Scholten - Sully
Children: Yvonne Osmond - Johnston
Arie J. (Elaine) Scholten - Sully
The late Wille Scholten
Shirley (Melvin) Van Genderen - Sully
Mark (Sarah) Scholten - Lynnville

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