Braafhart, Nicholas, Jr. 1926-1995

BRAAFHART, MIEDEMA, MENNINGA, STEENHOEK, VAN EE, KELDERMAN, KLOOTWYK

Posted By: Al Hibbard (email)
Date: 10/16/2013 at 09:53:12

Nicholas Braafhart, Jr.

Services for Nicholas Braafhart, Jr., 69, of Pella, who died June 20, 1995 at Pella Community Hospital, were held June 24 at the Third Reformed Church. Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Interment was in Oakwood Cemetery.

The Rev. Kevin Korver officiated at the services. Music was provided by Paul Hietbrink, soloist, accompanied by Judy Steenhoek.

Pallbearers were Scott, Matthew, Jeffrey, and Nicholas Braafhart, Travis Van Ee, and Dennis Kelderman. Honorary bearers were Brett and Joey Braafhart.

Mr. Braafhart was born on Jan. 29, 1926 at Pella, the son of Nicholas and Clara Miedema Braafhart, Sr. He moved to Ottumwa at the age of seven and returned to Pella at the age of 12, where he graduated from the eighth grade at Lincoln School.

As a young man, he worked at Vander Ploeg Bakery where his father was also employed.

On March 27, 1944 he was inducted into the U.S. Navy where he served as a baker and was discharged on June 1,1946.

On May 31, 1947 at Otley, he married Kathryn Mae Menninga.

He had been employed by the General Electric Store, drove a tank wagon for his uncle, P. W. Steenhoek, and then for Farm Service and the Farmer's Cooperative Exchange. In 1964, he purchased a milk distributorship for Borden's Dairy and later for Flynn Dairy. In 1975, he became the owner and operator of Braafhart's Standard Station in Pella from which he retired in 1994.

He was a member of the Third Reformed Church, the American Legion, the V. F. W., and had been a member of the Early Risers Kiwanis Club.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one grandson, Caleb Braafhart.

He is survived by his wife; four
sons and their wives, James and
Barbara, Rodger and Sheryl, and
Joel and Debra, all of Pella, and
Robert and Rebecca of Newton; one
daughter, Mrs. Michael (Kristi) Van
Ee of Pella; 12 grandchildren; two
sisters, Gertrude Kelderman of
Altoona and Matilda Klootwyk of
Pella; and his mother-in-law, Ethel Menninga of Pella.

A memorial has been established to the Faith Promise Building Fund of the Third Reformed Church