Arend Folkens

Lester, IA Arend Folkens, age 81 of Lester, IA died Sunday, March 28, 2010, at Sanford Hospital in Rock Rapids, IA. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 31st at Seeds of Faith Methodist Church at Lester, IA with Pastor Don Nelson, officiating. Burial will follow in Hillside Cemetery at Lester. Visitation will be Tuesday March 30th from 2:00 " 8:30 p.m. with family present from 2:00 " 4:00 p.m. and again from 6:30 " 8:30 p.m. at Seeds of Faith Methodist Church in Lester. Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids is in charge of arrangements. Arend Folkens was born January 1, 1929 at Rock Rapids, IA, the son of John and Alice (Boonstra) Folkens. Arend grew up on a farm and attended Midland #4 country school through the 8th grade. Arend started driving truck when he was fifteen years old, hauling grain and livestock. On August 19, 1948 Arend was united in marriage to Darlene Kuhl. Following their marriage they lived near Rock Rapids, IA and Luverne, MN, before moving to Lester in 1955. Arend enjoyed many successful years in the trucking business. For over twenty years Arend and Darlene traveled to Arizona or Texas for the winter seasons. Arend enjoyed NASCAR racing and traveling south for the winters. Arend especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. On May 13, 2003, Arends wife Darlene died after 54 years of marriage. Since September 2009, Arend has been residing at the Rock Rapids Health Centre in Rock Rapids. At the time of his death, Arend was a patient at Sanford Hospital in Rock Rapids. Arend died this past Sunday, March 28, 2010, at the age of eighty-one. Arend is survived by his sons, John Folkens and his fianc Martha Elrod; Steve Folkens and wife, Jenny; two daughters, Elsie Anderson and her husband, Lynn; Lori Popkes and her husband, Greg; also surviving are 20 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren; one brother, Carl Folkens of Rock Rapids. Arend was preceded in death by his wife, Darlene Folkens; his parents, John and Alice Folkens; a brother, Pete Folkens and a grandson, Jas Ver Meer.