Van Kooten, Daniel W. 1933-2006

VAN KOOTEN, DIELEMAN, HARSSELAAR, JANSEN, DE JONG, HARTHOORN, VAN WYK, VOS

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 2/27/2006 at 22:17:57

Daniel W. Van Kooten, 72, of Sully died Thursday, Feb. 9, 2006, at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House in Pella.

A funeral service was held today at Sully Christian Reformed Church in Sully. Burial was at Sully Cemetery. Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home in Pella handled arrangements.

For those desiring, memorials may be designated for the Christian Opportunity Center and the Sully Christian Grade School.

The son of Cornelius and Jennie Dieleman Van Kooten, he was born March 12, 1933, in rural Sully. He attended school at the Sully Christian Grade School. He lived for several years with his parents on the family farm southwest of Sully until 1967 when the family moved into Sully. Following the death of his father, he continued to live with his mother until he became a resident of the Christian Opportunity Center in Pella. He was a resident at several of the group homes in Pella. He was an eager worker and enjoyed earning his paycheck by doing assembly in the workshop. He was a member of Sully Christian Reformed Church.

He is survived by his brothers and sisters, Henry (Virginia) Van Kooten of Leighton, Ida Harsselaar of Sully, Cornelia (Charlie) Jansen of Grand Rapids, Mich., Delia (Johnnie) De Jong of Sully, Delmer (Wilma) Van Kooten of Pella, Norma (Carroll) Harthoorn of Sully, Edward (Judy) Van Kooten of Sully; a sister-in-law, Lois Van Wyk; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Clarence Van Kooten; sister, Jean Vos; and brothers-in-law, Alberthus Harsselaar and Kenneth Vos.

The Newton (IA) Daily News, February 13, 2006
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Daniel Wilbur Van Kooten passes away late Thursday evening, February 9, 2006.

He was born south of Sully, Iowa on March 12, 1933. He was the fifth of ten children born to Cornelius and Jennie Dieleman Van Kooten. Dan and his twin brother Delmer shared a special bond, as most twins do.

Dan was born with a mental disability which hindered his capability to learn, but not his desire to work and enjoy life. Dan attended school at the Sully Christian Grade School as a young boy. He was very eager to do work on the farm, penning the cattle and tending to the windmill to make sure the water was pumped to the cistern well. Dan lived for several years with his parents on the family farm southwest of Sully until 1967 when the family moved into Sully. After his father passed away, Dan continued to live with his mother until he became a resident of the Christian Opportunity Center in Pella, Iowa. Dan thoroughly enjoyed this transition to his new home, and the many challenges he faced in his new environment.

Dan was a resident at several of the group homes in Pella. He was an eager worker and enjoyed earning his paycheck by doing assembly in the workshop. This sense of independence was hard earned and his love for the staff and his fellow residents was mutual. Dan was keenly aware that his brothers and sisters rotated their role in taking him to church on Sundays. Dan would often be so eager to go to worship that he often times would get ahead of himself and move to the next week in anticipation. His zest for life and his innocent and ambitious love for the Lord were overwhelmingly evident. His family was truly blessed by his life.

Dan made profession of his faith on December 4, 1983 at the Sully Christian Reformed Church, where he maintained his membership his entire life. In January of 2005, Dan left his home at C.O.C. and moved to the Long Term Care Unit of Pella Regional Health Center.

Those who will cherish his memory are his brothers and sisters: Henry and Virginia Van Kooten of Leighton, Ida Harsselaar of Sully, Cornelia and Charlie Jansen of Grand Rapids, MI, Delia and Johnnie De Jong of Sully, Delmer and Wilma Van Kooten of Pella, Norma and Carroll Harthoorn of Sully and Edward and Judy Van Kooten of Sully.

Daniel also leaves behind the wife of his late brother Clarence, Lois (Norman) Van Wyk, along with a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Cornelius Van Kooten who died in 1969 and Jennie Van Kooten who died in 1983; brother, Clarence Van Kooten in1961; sister, Jean Vos in 1979; brothers-in-law, Alberthus Harsselaar and Kenneth Vos; nephew, Tim Jansen and nephew-in-law, Duane Schmitt. Dan loved to eat pie with his family. He would comment on how good the cooks were in his family and would say "can't beat it". He also enjoyed playing UNO and other simple games with his family, bowling, and winning running events at the Special Olympics. Dan will be remembered as a having a gentle soul.

For those desiring memorials may be designated for the Christian Opportunity Center or the Sully Christian Grade School.

The Pella (IA) Chronicle, February 16, 2006