Cornelius, Kenneth F. 1920-2018

CORNELIUS, DERONDE, LAKEFIELD

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:37

Mr. Kenneth Cornelius, age 98, of Hospers, passed away on Monday, June 11, at the Sanford Sheldon Medical Center in Sheldon.

There will be a memorial service on Thursday, June 14, at 2:30pm, at the First Reformed Church in Hospers. The Rev. Troy Van Beek will officiate. Interment will be prior to the service at the Hospers Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be before and after the service on Thursday at the church.

Arrangements are with the Oolman Funeral Home in Hospers.

Kenneth Fred was born on May 17, 1920, in Passaic, New Jersey, the son of Fred and Pearl (De Ronde) Cornelius.

On June 27, 1942, he married Agnes Lakefield in Garfield, New Jersey. They first made their home in Garfield and later moved to Ridgefield, New Jersey. During the Great Depression, he worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps. He was employed in a factory in New Jersey and also served as sexton of the Old English Neighborhood Reformed Cemetery for 38 years. In 1991, they moved to Hospers. Agnes passed away on February 28, 2004, in Orange City, after 61 years of marriage.

In November of 2015, Ken became a resident of Fieldcrest Assisted Living in Sheldon.

He was a member of the First Reformed Church.

Mr. Cornelius enjoyed flowers and gardening. He kept everything clean and neat.

Survivors include his daughter and her husband, Arlene and David Raak, of Hospers; three grandchildren, Ruth, and her husband, Matt Kuster, of Mankato, Minnesota; Rachel Raak-Law, of Correctionville; and Paul Raak, and his wife, Sara, of Alexandria, Virginia; six great-grandchildren, Jordan Kuster, Carson, Addison, and Emerson Law; and Oliver and Henry Raak; a brother, Herbert Cornelius, of Pennsylvania; and special friends, Ruth and Jerry Boyer.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by a great-grandson, Bennett Raak; and three brothers and two sisters, Freeman, Catherine, Dorothy, Walter, and George.

Source: Oolman Funeral Home online obituary.