Cornelius "Don" Van Houweling (1918-2012)

HOUWELING, TYSSELING, VAN ZOMERAN, REMPE, HURD

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 8/1/2012 at 08:39:12

From Adams & Soderstrum Funeral Home obituary, Story County, Iowa:

Cornelius "Don" Van Houweling

BORN: July 19, 1918

DIED: February 24, 2012

LOCATION: Ames, Iowa

Don, an Ames, Iowa resident died in his private residence Thursday. Feburary 23, 2012.

Don was one of four children born of the late Dirk C. and Elbertha (Bertha Tysseling) Van Houweling near Leighton, Iowa, on July 19,1918.
Don's childhood experience was that of a Leighton, Iowa farm boy displaced into the town of Pella. Even as a "town boy" he worked on the family farms, loved riding horses and caring for the farm animals. He lived out his dream of becoming a veterinarian when he received a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Iowa State University in 1942. At Iowa State, he was a leader in Theta Xi and the InterFraternity Council. His Greek social life led him to meet his future wife, Roberta Olson, who he married in 1942 and remained devoted to until his final breath. Farming captivated him into his last days and observing an American Saddlebred Horse perform never ceased to delight him.

He would be the first to tell you that God directed his life through many influential colleagues and personal friends. It began with his childhood neighbor, a veterinarian, who stimulated his interest in veterinary medicine through to his mentor, Dr. Clarkson, who invited him to serve in his final government position as Director of the Bureau of Veterinary Medicine for the Food and Drug Administration during the 1970's. His veterinary career began in a mixed practice in Springfield, Illinois. During WW II, he served in the Army Veterinary Corps. He held leadership positions at the Illinois Farm Bureau, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the University of Illinois; Assistant Director of the US Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service; Assistant Director of Regulatory Activities at the USDA National Animal Disease Lab; and finally as the first governmental liaison for the National Pork Producers. He received his MS in Veterinary Microbiology at Iowa State in 1966.

His older sisters, Avis Van Zomeran and Ruth Rempe, stood beside him after the early death of his parents. He was forced to "grow up in a hurry" as he assumed farm and financial responsibilities after his parents' deaths. His life demonstrated exceptional perseverance and a strong work ethic as a result.

Don was known for his generosity, humility, and cordiality. He was generous with his time, wisdom and assistance and readily shared words of encouragement. He cultivated loyal and enduring friendships and will leave a void in multiple lives with his absence. He viewed all of his professional positions as opportunities for Christian service. As an active and vibrant Christian man, he consistently contributed to his local church community. Prison ministry held a special interest for Don. He regularly visited local prisoners to provide support and encouragement. He established and participated in Brother's Refuge, a parolee ministry, during his retirement years in Pella. He was an avid Iowa State Cyclone fan rarely missing any basketball or football games. Most of all, he relished the gathering of all his family and observing their boisterous, friendly banter!

He will be dearly missed by his beloved wife of 69 years, Bobbie; his sons and their wives; Douglas and Andrea, C. Donald and Terry, Bruce and Laura, Dirk and Judi and his daughter and her husband Susan and Scott Hurd. He has been blessed with eighteen grandchildren and five great grandchildren. He is predeceased by his parents Dirk and Elbertha, his brother Edward, and sisters Avis Van Zomeran and Ruth Rempe.
Memorial Services will be held at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 1416 20th St., Ames, IA at 3 PM, Fri. March 2, 2012, with visitation to follow. Funeral Services will be held at First Reformed Church, 605 Broadway St., Pella, IA on Sat. March 3, 2012 at 11 AM, luncheon and graveside service to follow.

Memorial donations can be made to Prison Fellowship, https://www.prisonfellowship.org/give-pf/give.

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