Cleveringa, John William 1933-2021

CLEVERINGA, SCHUTT, MORRIS

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/12/2022 at 14:42:24

John Cleveringa, age 88 of Sioux Center, IA passed away on Friday, December 31, 2021, at Crown Pointe Estates in Sioux Center, IA.

Memorial services will be at 11AM, Tuesday, January 4, 2022, at New Life Reformed Church in Sioux Center with Rev. Bobby Van Otterloo and Rev. Dan Kruse officiating.

A prayer service for family will be held at 10:00AM, Tuesday at New Life Reformed Church in Sioux Center. Interment will follow the prayer service in the Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center.

Visitation will be Monday, January 3, 2022, with family present from 4-6PM at the Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center.

The Cleveringa family prefers memorials be directed to: Foster Grandparent Program, 1510 14th Street, Rock Valley, IA 51247 or Midwest Honor Flight, 509 4th Avenue NE, Sioux Center, IA 51250

John William Cleveringa was born on January 15, 1933, the son of Fred F. and Fannie (Schutt) Cleveringa. He grew up in Sioux Center and graduated from Sioux Center High School in 1951. Following his graduation, he earned a 2-year degree from Northwestern College in Orange City, IA. John was then drafted into the U.S. Army and served from 1954 to 1956, stationed in Hawaii post the Korean War. After being honorably discharged, John continued his education by attending Iowa State University, graduating in 1958. On May 29, 1959, he was united in marriage to Marjorie Morris at the Henderson Christian Church in Henderson, IA.

John taught school for four years at Mondamin and Sheffield, IA, then farmed for twenty-five years. He worked several other jobs before working for the U.S. Postal Service for 18 years, retiring at the age of 76. During his retirement years he volunteered as a Foster Grandparent with the Foster Grandparent Program.

John was a member of the First Reformed Church and later New Life Reformed Church in Sioux Center, where he served as a Deacon, Elder, Sunday school and catechism teacher. He also served his community as a member of the Sioux County Extension Council and Sioux County Pork Producers Association.

John and Marj had 2 foster sons and also hosted a Foreign Exchange Student. After farming, John built the home where they lived in Sioux Center for 28 years. He was a skilled carpenter. They enjoyed traveling in their retirement years. One very special memory for John was going on the Midwest Honor Flight in 2018.

John is survived by his wife of 62 years, Marjorie Cleveringa; two sons and six grandchildren, Steve (Jana) Cleveringa of Sioux City, IA, their children, Tyson (Rebekah), Austin (Emily) and Alex (Morgan); and Mark (Darcy) Cleveringa of Cedar Bluffs, NE, their children, Courtney, Jake, and Josie; three great-grandchildren; two siblings, Garold (Chris) Cleveringa, and Fran (Denny) Vollink; brother-in-law, Lee Erickson; sister-in-law Doris (Paul) Harmon; and nieces, nephews and other extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Fannie Cleveringa; five siblings, Frederick Cleveringa, Nelson (Theresa) Cleveringa, Tunis (Ila) Cleveringa, Wilma (Harry) Kraayenbrink, Margaret Erickson, and brother-in-law Raymond Morris.

Source: Memorial Funeral Home online obituary.