Kooima, Clarence "Jr." 1928-2016

KOOIMA, VANBEEK, SMITH

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/12/2016 at 01:02:28

ROCK VALLEY, IOWA ~ Clarence “Jr.” Kooima, 88, of Rock Valley, entered into eternal rest on Friday, September 9, 2016 at Whispering Heights in Rock Valley, Iowa, surrounded by his family.
   Clarence “Jr.” Kooima was born August 27th, 1928 in Rock Valley, Iowa, son of Sebert and Mary (Van Beek) Kooima. One of eight children, he lived on the Kooima family farm until 1937, when the family moved to Rock Valley.  He attended Rock Valley Christian School and graduated from Rock Valley High School in 1947. Jr. served in the US Air Force from 1948 until 1952. On June 1st, 1949 Clarence “Jr.” Kooima, married Winifred Smith in Arkansas and moved their family to Ramey Air Force Base in Puerto Rico where he was stationed. After being discharged from the Air Force, Jr. and Winifred returned to the family farm in Rock Valley to raise their family of five. He worked the family farm and brokered commodities as co-owner of Rock Valley Commodities until retirement.
    Jr. was a member of the VFW and First Reformed Church in Rock Valley. He was a founder and board member of the Rock Valley Golf Club, and board member of Production Credit Association (PCA). Jr. was a proud family man; the best father, grandfather, and great-grandpa. He was an avid sports fan and rooted for his favorite teams the Chicago Bears, New York Yankees, Iowa Hawkeyes and local high school teams. Jr. loved golfing, playing cards, and telling tall tales. A man who had the unique ability to make all the people he met feel important and that they had something of value only he could recognize. That you were part of his inner circle.
    He is survived by his wife Winifred (Smith) Kooima of Rock Valley, IA, 4 daughters, 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Daughter and son-in-law Linda (Kooima) and Chuck Witte of Wheatland, WY, their son and daughter-in-law Chad and Genee Witte of Laramie, WY, daughter Nickole (Witte) and Dan Fiers of Loveland, CO. Daughter and son-in-law Gloria (Kooima) and Larry Dirksen of Rock Valley, IA, their son and daughter-in-law Cory and Christina Dirksen of Phoenix, AZ, daughter and son-in-law Kristy (Dirksen) and Chad Van Beek of Rock Valley, IA and son Dan Dirksen of Sioux Falls, SD. Daughter and son-in-law Karen (Kooima) and Ron Owens of Orange City, IA, their daughter and son-in-law Stephanie (Bierbaum) and Rob Howard of Atlanta, GA, Dustin Bierbaum of Orange City, IA, and son and daughter-in-law Nate and Jen Owens of West Des Moines, IA. Daughter and son-in-law Lori (Kooima) and Scott Ohlemann of Rock Rapids, IA, son Brandon Witt of Maui, HI and daughter Mickee Witt of Cedar Falls, IA. Mic’s son Michael Kooima of Anaheim, CA; and his sister, Ann Ver Burg of Rock Valley, IA.
   Jr. was preceded in death by his parents; son, Clark “Mic” Kooima; granddaughter, Kelsey Witt; brothers, Simon S. (Maggie) Kooima and Peter (Anne) Kooima; sisters, Ruth (Bill) Schleis, Everdean Kooima, Tena (Dick) Eppinga, and Nellie (Ted) Bartman; and brother-in-law, Ed Ver Burg.
   Funeral Service will be Wednesday, September 14, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at the First Reformed Church in Rock Valley with Rev. Harlan De Jong officiating. Burial will follow with military honors at the Valley View Cemetery. Celebration of Life services will follow the burial at the Frist Reformed Church fellowship hall.
Visitation will be Tuesday, September 13th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the First Reformed Church. The Porter Funeral Home in Rock Valley is assisting the family. Condolences may be sent to www.porterfuneralhomes.

 
Source: Porter Funeral Homes online obituary.