Rodenburgh, Simon 1922-2013

RODENBURGH, BOKORST, ZOET

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 1/22/2013 at 15:16:10

Simon Rodenburgh
Born: April 17, 1922
Death: January 14, 2013
Simon Rodenburgh, 90, of Sioux Center, IA died Monday, January 14, 2013, at the Sioux Center Community Hospital.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday at 10:30AM at First Reformed Church of Sioux Center with Rev. Roger Voskuil officiating. Interment will follow in Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center.

Simon Rodenburgh was born on April 17, 1922 to Johannes and Fillepyntie (Bokhorst) Rodenburgh. He was raised in Nieuw Vennep, The Netherlands. He received his education through sixth grade at a Christian School in Holland.

Simon’s life was a journey, his later teen years and early 20’s were spent trying to keep food on the table for his family. He also had to keep safe from the German army during the Hitler regime. When he was 25 years old he went "underground" and stayed by a family many miles away. During a visit home, he was captured and sent to the Concentration Camp in Amersfoort. He spent the next two years living in the camp and doing forced labor for a German farmer.

When he returned home his parents suggested that he migrate to the United States, since the land was devastated by the war and all of his parent’s possessions were gone. In 1947, Simon came to the United States on a ship and traveled by train to Iowa. He lived with his Aunt Liz and Uncle Mark Rodenburgh. He worked as a farm hand for Albert Hawkins, who also taught him how to read and write the English language. He was united with his family 30 years later on a trip to Holland.

On June 11, 1952 he married Gertrude Zoet in Hull, Iowa. He worked for his brother-in-law, Joe Zoet as a farm hand. He rented various farms and worked land in the Hull and Doon area. His only dream, when he came to America, was to own his own farm. His dream was fulfilled in 1965 when he purchased a farm near Hull which he and his wife operated for 30 years. Along with the farm land he had a family dairy and was partial to raising beef cattle. Simon and Gertrude sold the acreage and retired to Sioux Center in 1992. Simon worked odd jobs for "something to do" for the next 20 years. He still had a "boss" when he was 88 – his latest was Johnny Franken.

Simon was a member of the First Christian Church in Nieuw Vennep, First Reformed Church in Hull and was currently a member of First Reformed Church in Sioux Center. He served as elder and as a Catechism teacher while in Hull. He was a faithful member and never missed a service.
He so enjoyed his family. His face would always light up when they came to visit. He loved playing games with the grandchildren. He liked riding bike and was one of the first people to use the Sioux Center bike trail. He liked gardening, and harvested many vegetables every year. He exhibited many at the Sioux County Fair receiving many purple ribbons for best of show. Simon sang Dutch songs and Hymns twice a week in the nursing homes in Hull and Sioux Center. For many years he participated in senior swimming at the Sioux Center pool. He loved traveling and would go whenever he had the chance. For over 10 years he enjoyed walking many miles with special friend, Henrietta.

Above all his faith in God was most important to him. He was forever grateful to God for bringing him to America; he proudly displayed the American flag in his front yard. On Sunday afternoons he listened to "Precious Memories" with Dale Bakker, often singing right along with the hymns.

Survivors include his two daughters and their husbands, Phyllis and Harlan De Haan of Orange City, Joan and Leroy Punt of Maurice; six grandchildren: Heather and Chad Walth, Heidi and Billy Burzlaff, Penny and Chris Rott, Bruce and Alyssa DeHaan, Joy and Ryan Haugan, Mitchal Punt; three step-grandchildren: Orlin and Amy Punt; Bill and Cathy Punt, Theresa and Lyle Hoekstra; seven great grandchildren: Johanna and Isabel Burzlaff, Logan, Isaac and Elijah Rott, Joseph DeHaan, Olivia Haugan; nine step-great grandchildren: Zachary, Joshua, Ryan and Jacob Punt, Cheri, Brad (Roselyn) Punt, and Catherine Punt, Kyle and Samantha Hoekstra. Simon is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Wilhelmina Rodenburgh and Harriett Moss.

Simon was preceded in death by his wife, Gertrude, his parents; brothers: Cornelius and Manus Rodenburgh; sister, Susanna Rodenburgh; brothers and sisters-in-law: Arie and Anna Rodenburgh, Marcus and Els Rodenburgh, Petrus and Pietertje Rodenburgh, Leendert and Mina Rodenburgh; sisters and brothers-in-law: Susanna and Klaas Bokhorst, Tryntje and Piet Goudriaan; two step children: Cheryl Punt and Brian Punt; two step-great grandchildren: Anthony Hoekstra and Erica Hoekstra; step-great, great granddaughter, Paige Punt and numerous Zoet sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.