Roorda, Hessel J. 1919-2000

ROORDA, CANNEGIETER, MILLER

Posted By: Mary Lou Verburg Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/4/2015 at 12:48:26

Born: November 14, 1919 Rock Valley, Iowa
Died: January 27, 2000 Orange City, Iowa

Hessel J. Roorda, 80, of Rock Valley died Thursday at Orange City Municipal in Orange City.

Services were at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the United Methodist Church in Rock Valley with the Rev. Jerry Robertson officiating. Burial was in Valley View Cemetery.

Roorda was born Nov. 14, 1919 in Rock Valley, the son of Hessl and Mary (Canngieter) Roorda. He graduated from Rock Valley Community High School in 1937.
He began his career with Roorda Machine Shop, which continued for 58 years. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1941-1945. Following his discharge he returned to Rock Valley, where he resumed his association and eventual leadership of Roorda Machine Shop. He sold the business in 1999. He married Lorraine Miller August 17, 1952, near Correctionville.

He was a member of Pioneer Methodist Church where he served in various capacities. He was a member of the Rotary Club, Masonic Lodge, Order of the Eastern Star, Sioux City Scottish Rite, Abu Bekr Shrine, VFW and American Legion.

He was a former director of Valley State Bank, served on the board of directors for the Hegg Memorial Hospital and was director of Valley Manor Nursing Home. The couple were the developers of the Rock Valley Golf Course residential addition.
He enjoyed traveling, ice skating, swimming and dancing.

Survivors include his wife; a son, Hessel R. of Rock Valley; three daughters, Helen Roorda of Winter Springs, Florida, Lois and her husband Dean Knox of Old Hickory Tennessee, and Joan and her husband Theodoere J. Keeler of Algonquin, Ill; a sister, Irene E. Riessen of Rock Valley and three grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two sisters, Helen Price and Lois Duncan; and a grandson.

Source: Sioux Center News 2/2/2000