Gladys Kooiker

Rock Rapids, IA Gladys J. Kooiker, age 73 of Rock Rapids, IA died Sunday, August 22, 2010 at Lyon Manor Nursing and Rehab Center in Rock Rapids, IA. Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Wednesday, August 25, 2010 at Faith Baptist Church in Rock Rapids, with Pastor Jeff Poppinga, officiating. Burial will follow in the Riverview Cemetery in Rock Rapids, IA. Visitation will be Tuesday, August 24th from 2:00 " 8:00 PM with the family present from 6:00 " 8:00 PM at the Jurrens Funeral Home Rock Rapids. Gladys Jean Kooiker was born February 13, 1937, to Bill and Allie (Van Bruggen) Wiekamp and grew up near Matlock, Iowa, on the family farm with her three younger siblings. After attending Matlock School and Sheldon High School, Gladys graduated with her RN degree in August 1958 from Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing in Sioux City, Iowa. On August 13, 1958, Gladys married Leroy Kooiker, and they moved to their farm south of Rock Rapids which would be their home together for the next 52 years. Gladys stopped nursing for Merrill Pioneer Community Hospital to raise her family but nursed at Lyon Manor Nursing Home for fifteen years after her children were older. Gladys was known as Mom not only to her own six children and two long-term foster children, but also to two foreign exchange students and numerous short-term foster children. Gladys lived her faith and actively participated in Faith Baptist Church as a Sunday school teacher, AWANA Clubs Commander and leader, choir director, pianist, and Ladies Circle member and leader. Gladys also enjoyed being active with Christian Womens Club of Rock Rapids. Gladys sang alto in the Musical Messengers, who recorded three albums and toured the central states to share the gospel message. Gladys unflappable love, quiet strength and faith-filled life will be missed. Gladys legacy is the family she leaves behind: husband Leroy and six children Gary (Sarah) of Brandon, SD; Sherry (William) Frey from Covington, KY; Scott (Jane) near Ellsworth, MN; Keith (Sharilyn) , Beth (John) Steven, and Reid (Sonja) all of Rock Rapids; foster daughters Jessica (David) Nieman of Sioux Falls, SD, and Jeri Simmons of OK; sixteen grandchildren Tim, Abigail and Hannah Kooiker, Rebekah (Shawn) Brock, Daniel and Michael Frey, Katie and Kristi Kooiker, Kara (Doug) Rigsby, Kendra and Kayla Kooiker, Diana, Danielle and Laura Steven, Dominique and Gabe Kooiker; and siblings Ellen Geels and Arlene Kramer of Sheldon, IA; and James (Mary) Wiekamp of Rochester, MN. Loved ones who preceded Gladys in death are her parents Bill and Allie Wiekamp, her father and mother-in-law Gerrit and Alice Kooiker, and two brothers-in-law, Gary Kramer and Chris Geels.