Huisman, Kenneth Leroy 1933-2023

HUISMAN, KROEZE, KLOMPENBURG

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-volunteer (email)
Date: 11/8/2023 at 13:52:02

Mr. Kenneth Huisman, age 90, of Orange City, passed away on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at his home.

A visitation with the family present will be held on Sunday, October 29, from 2:00pm to 4:00pm, at the Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City. A prayer service will take place on Monday, October 30, at 10:00am, at the funeral home, followed by interment at the West Lawn Cemetery in Orange City. There will be a memorial service on Monday, at 11:00am, at the Calvary Christian Reformed Church in Orange City with the Rev. John Klompien and the Rev. John Tock officiating.

Kenneth Leroy was born on January 11, 1933, on his family’s farm west of the Newkirk corner, one of seven children born to Herbert and Jessie (Kroeze) Huisman. He grew up on the farm and attended a nearby country school and the Newkirk High School, where he played basketball. He served in the United States Army for two years, primarily stationed in Germany, and following his honorable discharge in 1956, he returned to northwest Iowa.

He was united in marriage to LaDonna J. Van Klompenburg on June 21, 1957, in Orange City. They made their home on the Huisman farm near Newkirk and Ken worked several different jobs including helping on the farm. After his father’s sudden death in 1961, Ken took over operation of the farm, where he and LaDonna raised their four children. In 2003, the couple retired and moved to a home in Orange City. LaDonna passed away in Orange City on March 15, 2022, after more than 64 years of marriage.

Ken was an active leader at the Calvary Christian Reformed Church in Orange City and had served as both a deacon and an elder. Christian education was important to Ken, and he helped to establish Unity Christian High School in Orange City, where he served as treasurer and comptroller for twenty years. He also served on the board of trustees for Dordt University in Sioux Center and as a member of the first board of directors for Iowa State Bank in Orange City. Early in his farming career, Ken saw a need for a quality water source in rural areas and he was instrumental in establishing the first rural water system in Iowa, serving as its first president for ten years. Later in life, Ken enjoyed volunteering with Justice for All, making numerous trips to Mississippi, as well as being a part of the Hope Haven International Wheelchair Ministry.

He will be deeply missed by his four children, Lyle Huisman, and his wife, Julia; and Deb, and her husband, Clayton Korver; all of Orange City; Brian Huisman, of Orange City, and his significant other, Shelley Shook, of Marcus; and Wayne Huisman, and his wife, Emily, of Orange City; eleven grandchildren, Ashley, and her husband, Josh Masih; Jordan Huisman, and his wife, Lindsey; Christian Korver, and his wife, Aimee; Devin De Young, and his wife, Megan; AJ Korver, and his wife, Abigail; Brandon Huisman, and his wife, Amanda; Bobby Webb, and his wife, Kendra; Angel Huisman; Taylor Deegan, and his wife, Kelsey; Jacob Huisman; and Jesse Huisman; seven great-grandchildren; a brother, Marvin Huisman, of Orange City; two brothers-in-law and their wives, Darrell and Cheri Van Klompenburg, of Phoenix, Arizona; and Marlo and Carol Van Klompenburg, of Pella; and two sisters-in-law, Ida Huisman, of Duluth, Minnesota; and Irene Huisman, of Phoenix; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by three grandchildren, Kayden Huisman, Gavin Huisman, and Cara Elizabeth Huisman; three brothers, William Huisman, and his wife, Trudy; Gerrit Huisman; and Stanley Huisman; two sisters, Etta, and her husband, Willard Van Steenwyk; and Hildred, and her husbands, Harvey Pluim and Maurice Vande Berg; and a sister-in-law, Helen Huisman.

Memorials will be given to the Hope Haven International Wheelchair Ministry.

Source: Oolman Funeal Home online obituary.