Koedam, Kenneth 1931-2002

KOEDAM, BLANKESPOOR

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 2/17/2014 at 11:07:36

Sioux Center News of Aug 18, 2002

Kenneth Koedam, 71, of Rock Valley died suddenly Monday, August 12, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. Services were at 1 p.m. Friday at First Christian Reformed Church in Rock Valley with the Rev. C. Eric Fennema officiating. Burial was in Valley View Cemetery.

Koedam was born June 19, 1931, near Sioux Center, the son of John and Hattie (Blankespoor) Koedam. He attended country school in the Sioux Center area. Shortly after completing school, he enlisted in the U. S. Army to serve in the Korean Conflict. He served from 1952 to 1954 as a driver with the 73rd Transportation Truck Company in Korea. Upon returning from the war, he began working with Kooima Manufacturing, constructing government grain storage bins around the country.

He then began farming with his father near Hawarden in 1955. He got into repairing and restoring farm machinery. He was a regular at many large farm auctions around the country, where he would purchase farm vehicles and equipment, which he would later restore and sell.

After the death of his mother, he cared for his father in their home in Rock Valley. He enjoyed auctions and the people he met at them. He also had a great love of all types of animals.

Survivors include a brother and his wife, Elmer and Beth Koedam of Apache Junction, Arizona; a sisterin-law, Gertrude Koedam; a special friend, Janet Wallace and her family; and 14 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Bill Koedam; two sisters, Henrietta De Goei and Alydia Clarke; a brother-in-law, John "Joe" De Goei; and a sister-inlaw, Mrs. Elmer (Esther) Koedam. Memorials may be directed to Hope Haven, Parkview Industries South in Rock Valley.