VAN HOORN, Willard George 1927-2003

VAN HOORN, JANSEN, DE GROOT, LORENZEN

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 10/9/2008 at 14:22:58

Willard George Van Hoorn was born in George, Lyon county, Iowa, on March 23, 1927 to Kreno and Anna (Jansen) Van Hoorn. Willard’s mother, Anna, died shortly after his birth due to complication from the delivery. Will grew up in the George area and his aunt Mae (Jansen) adopted him.

He attended the George Community Schools and graduated from high school in 1944. After high school, he attended Hope College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for one year. In 1946 he entered into the Civil Air Patrol as a pilot.

In 1950, Willard was united in marriage to Dorothy De Groot in George, Iowa. Together the couple lived in the George area as Willard worked with his father on the farm. His wife, Dorothy, was fatally injured in an automobile accident just six months after the wedding.

He then enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1951 and served a total of 10 years and 3 months of active duty. He served as Staff Sergeant and a jet fighter mechanic. He served in several locations including 4 years in England. After his honorable discharge in 1961, he enlisted with the South Dakota National Guard as a full time employee and worked in the administrative department.

In 1978 Willard was severely burned in an accident and spent much time rehabilitating from the burns. After that experience, he spent time going and speaking at burn victim support groups in the Hennepin County Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota and surrounding areas.

He moved to Rock Rapids, Lyon county, Iowa and began working for DGR as a surveyor and in maintenance until the late 1980’s. He then worked for the City of Rock Rapids doing airport and park maintenance. He was very active in many things, such as Boy Scouts, American Legion, the Cherokee Ridge Runners, and his passion for Indian culture. He was one of the few that have been adopted by the Lakota Sioux Nation, and was very honored.

Willard is survived by his daughter, Sue (and Dwight) Lorenzen of Grinnell, Iowa, three grandchildren, Nicole Lorenzen, Danielle Lorenzen and Michael Lorenzen, all of Grinnell and one great-grandson, Joshua Lorenzen of Grinnell. He was preceded in death by his parents, Kreno, Anna and Mae; son, Robert John Van Hoorn and brother, Larry Van Hoorn

Funeral services for Willard Van Hoorn were held Monday, October 13, 2003, at First Reformed Church of Rock Rapids, Iowa with interment at Evergreen Lawn Cemetery west of George, Iowa. Military graveside honors were provided by the Van Anne-Fields Post No. 6960 Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Rex Strait Post No. 102 of the American Legion, both of Rock Rapids.

(From funeral program)