Langstraat, Rodney Dean 1940-2019

LANGSTRAAT, UITTENBOGAARD, DEBOER

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:36

Mr. Rodney Langstraat, age 79, of Orange City, passed away on Tuesday, December 24, 2019 at the Happy Siesta Care Center in Remsen.

There will be a funeral service on Monday, December 30, at 10:30am, at the Newkirk Reformed Church in rural Hospers. The Rev. Michael Pitsenberger will officiate. Interment will follow the service at the Newkirk Cemetery in rural Hospers. Visitation with the family will be on Sunday, from 2:00pm to 4:00pm, at the Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City.

Rodney Dean was born on July 6, 1940, the eldest son of Herman and Grace (Uittenbogaard) Langstraat. He was raised on a farm three miles north of Newkirk and graduated from Newkirk Consolidated School in 1958. Rod served in the Air National Guard from 1960 to 1966.

On May 31, 1961, Rod and Alma De Boer were united in marriage in Newkirk Reformed Church. They farmed near Newkirk where they milked cows, planted row crops, and raised their three daughters. He worked for his father-in-law, Edward. After Grace’s death at a young age, his mother-in-law Alice became like a mother to him. Starting in the 1980’s he was also a seed dealer for Asgrow. He was an early proponent for no till farming and was recognized for habitat development, along with being a board member of Pheasants Forever. Rod and Alma retired in 2014.

When Alma, the love of his life, died in 2015, he was never the same. The farm continued to be his home until November of 2017, when Rod moved to Orange City and lived in the Pioneer Home. Later he went to Fieldcrest in Sheldon, and Happy Siesta Care Center in Remsen.

Rod’s faith was very important to him and he was a lifelong member of Newkirk Reformed Church. He served as an elder and deacon, was a member of Men’s Brotherhood and often helped with the Sunday School picnic in June. He and Alma participated in mission work projects around the country. He was on the Farm Committee of Northwestern College in Orange City and a strong supporter of the school.

Anyone who knew Rod was aware of how much he loved the outdoors. His skill at hunting started at an early age. He was given a bow and arrows for Christmas when he was six years old and the old rooster chicken was enjoyed that very day for Christmas dinner.

Rod thought that opening day of hunting season should be a national holiday. He and “The Hounds” helped thin the population of deer, foxes, coyotes, raccoons, bears, gophers, and even crows during one particularly sparse winter. Rod could tell a hunting story like no other.

Other hobbies included fishing, trap shooting, bowling, horseshoe pitching, and golfing. Rod enjoyed attending sporting events, traveling south in the winter to Mission, Texas, and visiting grandchildren. He also volunteered at Justice for All in Rock Valley.

Surviving are his three daughters; Gail and Arlan Van Grouw, of Orange City; Gina and Rev. Mike Pitsenberger, of Carmel; and Amy and Jay Solsma, of Sanborn. Left to cherish his memory are six grandchildren; Janet and Dr. Jonathan Taves; Troy, Kent, and Logan Pitsenberger; Blake Solsma; and Claire Solsma; and great granddaughter, Ruby Taves.

Also surviving are four sisters; Shirley Goering, of New Ulm, Minnesota; Darts and Ken Harskamp, of North Fort Myers, Florida; Bev and Gene Van Berkel, of Sioux Center; and Glenda and Gary Jager, of George; one brother, Brad, of Jackson, Minnesota; and stepsiblings; Twyla Vaas; Karlene and Rod Van’t Hof; Daryl and Ruth Vaas; and Eulyn and Owen Dykshorn. Also left with fond memories are Langstraat and Uittenbogaard cousins; many nieces and nephews; and the De Boer sisters-in-law, Adeline Dolphin, of Hospers; Marjorie Giese, of Grimes, Iowa; and Vera and Norbert Bradley, of Lenox, Iowa.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Brian Vander Schaaf; a brother, Robert; two brothers-in-law, David De Boer and Verlin Goering; a sister-in-law and husband, Cornelia and Chris Van Hal; a stepbrother, Bennet Vaas; and a niece, Diane Pullman.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to Newkirk Reformed Church, Hospers, Iowa, or Sioux County Conservation Foundation, Hawarden, Iowa.

Source: Oolman Funeral Home online obituary.