Pothoven, Kenneth "Stan" 1939-2008

POTHOVEN, STURSMA, VOGELAAR, HIEMSTRA

Posted By: Ernie Braida (email)
Date: 1/12/2010 at 16:49:34

Kenneth Stanley Pothoven was born on April 19, 1939, the son of Otto and Effie Stursma Pothoven. He was born on the family farm near Peoria, Iowa where he was raised and lived his entire life.

Stan, as he was known, graduated from the Peoria Christian Grade School in Peoria and then Pella Christian High School in Pella, Iowa with the Class of 1957. He attended Central College in Pella for one year and then enlisted in the Army reserves. Stan served for six months and was then discharged to return to the family farm following the death of his father.

On July 20, 1968, he was united in marriage with Marcia Ellen Vogelaar, a daughter of Elmer and Margaret Hiemstra Vogelaar, at Otley Reformed Church in Otley, Iowa. To this union two sons were born: Christopher Mark and Ryan Leigh. Stan loved his family very much and was especially proud of his sons, Chris and Ryan, and eventually his daughter-in-law, Amy.

He loved farming and especially feeding cattle on the family farm, which is now a century farm. He also worked at the feed mill in Peoria, Iowa with different owners until the mill closed, and in recent years had worked part-time for Cargill near Eddyville, Iowa.

Stan acquired an appreciation for his many dogs over the years. He also shared a love of sprint car racing with his wife, Marcia, and was supportive of her appreciation for horses. He was always ready and willing to help whenever and wherever it was needed.

On Tuesday morning, December 30, 2008, Stan passed away unexpectedly on arrival at the Pella Regional Health Center in Pella at the age of 69 years, 8 months and 11 days.

Those who will cherish his memory include his wife, Marcia, and their two sons: Chris Pothoven of Washington, D. C., and Ryan Pothoven and his wife, Amy (Gosselink) of San Diego, California. They brought him much joy and he loved to visit them on either coast.

Stan's family includes two sisters and their husbands: Vera and Marion Franje of New Sharon, Iowa, and Gladys and John De Rooi of Oskaloosa, Iowa; a sister-in-law, Lenora (Vogelaar) Thierry of Arlington,Virginia; along with several nephews and nieces.

Stan was preceded in death by his parents, Otto and Effie Pothoven; his parents-in-law, Elmer and Margaret Vogelaar; two sisters: Gladys Ann Pothoven who died at the age of 11 years and Cathryn (Pothoven) and her husband, Harry Van Wyk; and a brother-in-law, Edwin Thierry.

Stan made professon of his faith at the Peoria Christian Reformed Church in Peoria and at the time of his death was a member of the Trinity Reformed Church in Pella, where in the past he had served as a Deacon. Stan always looked to the Lord in his difficult times in life but his faith never wavered. He was a very loving husband, father, and brother, as well as a good friend and neighbor.

Van Dyk- Duven Funeral Home