Kats, Larry Dean 1951-2018

KATS, VANDERPLAS, FEEKES, SCHWARZ

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:34

Rock Valley, IA: Larry D. Kats, 67, of Rock Valley, Iowa, went to his heavenly home surrounded by his family on Monday, March 19, 2018 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 22 at 10:30 AM at Trinity Christian Reformed Church of Rock Valley with Rev. Henry Lengkeek officiating. Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery of Rock Valley. Visitation, with the family present, will be held Wednesday, March 21 from 5:30-7:30 PM at Trinity CRC. Memorials may be given to Rock Valley Christian School or Western Christian High School.

Larry Dean Kats, son of Henry and Christina (Vander Plas) Kats, was born January 19, 1951. He lived in Rock Valley, Iowa his entire life. He attended Rock Valley Christian School and Western Christian High School. Larry married Nelva Feekes and the couple later divorced. To this union, three children were born: Shad, Misti, and Molly. On September 3, 1994, Larry was united in marriage with Darlene Schwarz. Darlene passed away on October 9, 2009.

Larry took a liking to tools; he loved repairing and inventing things. He owned and operated Custom Steel Workers for many years. He missed very few days in his business. When coming to his shop, people would often find him with a helmet on his head and sparks flying. Larry enjoyed Harley Davidson Motorcycles and collected many Harley Davidson items. In recent years, Larry found interest in gardening and canning his own produce, which he shared with his family. New plans were already in place for the upcoming gardening season. To keep him company, he had two spunky house dogs that traveled with him everywhere; even to the shop.

He is survived by his three children, Shad (Melissa) Kats of Hull, Iowa, Misti (Jason) Fykstra of Boyden, Iowa, and Molly Kats of Sioux City, Iowa; seven grandchildren, Kerrigan, Jerad, and Braeden Kats, Dustin and Kyra Fykstra, and Alisha and Grace Junge; four brothers, Ed Kats of Rock Valley, Gerrit (Esther) Kats of Rock Valley, Ken (Hendrene) Kats of Rock Valley, and Alvin (Evie) Kats of Sheldon, Iowa; and three sisters, Alta Groeneweg of Rock Valley, Betty (Arvin) Hoogendoorn of Rock Valley, and Wanda Siebelink of Grandville, Michigan.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Christina; wife, Darlene; brothers, John, Paul, and Harley Kats; sister, Joanne Groeneweg; brother-in-law, Walt Groeneweg; and sisters-in-law, Sharon, Elaine and Nelma Kats.

Source: Porter Funeral Home online obituary.