Kooi, Donald Lee 1944-1965

KOOI, ELBERS, VANDENBOSCH

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 1/18/2014 at 13:03:53

Rock Valley Bee of April 29, 1965
Joint services held for truck crash victims; Sam Van Voorst still critical.

Two Rock Valley young men died and a third resident remains unconscious as a result of a three truck accident Monday morning about 7:00 o’Clock about a mile and a half west of Sanborn on fog shrouded highway 18.

Dead are Marion John Faber, 29, and Donald Lee Kooi, 20, broth men worked for All American Transport, Sam Van Voorst driver and owner of the truck as well as Mr. Faber’s and Mr. Kooi’s employer, is in ta Sioux City hospital with head, chest and leg injuries and was still unconscious Wednesday morning. Plans for operating on Mr. Van Voorst were going ahead Wednesday as the Bee went to press and doctors hope to lessen some of the pressure on the brain. That operation was being performed at about the time preparations were being completed for a sad double funeral in Rock Valley.

Joint funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon for both young men.
The accident occurred when the Rock Valley trio were on their way to Spencer where the All American Transport firm is located. That firm was recently moved to Spencer by Mr. Van Voorst when his National outlet suggested a more central location for the operations of the company.

Early morning fog covered Highway 18 as the local men attempted to pass a gasoline transport. As he pulled around the truck he was driving east a milk truck driven by Kenneth Snyder for the Sanborn Creamery was approaching from the east. The Rock Valley man attempted to slow down and pull back into the right hand lane but in doing so he collided with the rear of the transport which tossed the pick up broadside in the path of the oncoming truck.
Rock Valley is getting over another shocking accident in mid January.

Obituaies of the young men follow.
Marion John Faber was born Sept 23, 1935 at Inwood and died Apriil 26, 1965 near Sanborn at the age of 29 years, 7 mo. And 3 days. Mr. Faber was raised in Rock Valley and graduated from the Chirstian grade school and from Western Chirstian High school in 1953. At the time of his death he was employed by All American Transport at Spencer, Marion and his family are members of the Cavin Christion Reformed church. He was married to Marlene Vermeer Jun 20, 1958. Three children were born to them, Mark 6, Michael 4, and Melissa 1.

Beside, his wife and children he is survived by his parents, Mr and Mrs Siebolt Faber; his sister, Mrs Jake Meendering; his brother, Case of Inwood; and his brother Gerrit, of Beaver Creek. One brother Rudy preceeded, him in death in 1944.

Donald Lee Kooi was born July 19, 1944 at Hudson S. Dakota and died April 20, near Sanborn, at the age of 20 years, nine months and seven days. Mr Kooi was graduated from the Rock Valley Christian school and from Western Christian high. He was a member of the Calvin Christian Reformed church.

At the time of his death, Donald was employed by All American Transport at Spencer. Mr Kooi was married to Wilma Jean Elbers Feb. 8 1963 at Steen, Minn. Two children were born to them: Pamela Jean, one year nine months and Patrick Lee ten months.

Besides his wife, he is survived by ed by his parents Mr and Mrs Lewis Kooi; five brothers, Arthur Lewis. Hull, and Larry Dean, Roger Dale, Darrel Wayne and Wendell Jay at home; by his paternal grandparents, Mian d Mrs Ben Kooi of Knoxville; and his maternal grandparents, Mr and Mrs Neal Vanden Bosch of Volga, S. D.