William "Bill" De Vries

Rock Rapids, IA        William “Bill” De Vries, age 96 of Rock Rapids, IA died Sunday, January 17, 2016, at Sanford Hospital in Rock Rapids.        Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 20, 2016, at the Christian Reformed Church in Rock Rapids, IA with Rev. Dr. Cliff Hoekstra officiating.  Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in Rock Rapids.        Visitation will be Tuesday January 19th from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with family present from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Christian Reformed Church in Rock Rapids.      William Joseph De Vries was born November 13, 1919 in Rock Valley, IA to John and Minnie (Harmelink) De Vries.  He was raised in rural Rock Valley and attended country school.  As a young man he worked on farms in the area and drove stock and grain trucks.  In 1944 he was united in marriage to Mina Doeksen at Bill’s parents’ house near Rock Rapids.  The couple lived their entire married lives in Rock Rapids.  Bill entered the US Army in 1945 and served as a cook aboard ship near Korea.  Upon his return he worked at Arlington Dairy Farm, Rock Rapids Coop Creamery, Vogt Plumbing and the Iowa DOT.  He also volunteered for the Lyon County Fair and the Christian Reformed Church for many years.  Bill retired from the DOT in 1984 and worked odd jobs in his retirement.  He enjoyed wood working, building bird houses, putting in lawns and visiting with people.  He didn't know a stranger and will be remembered for his sense of humor.  Many are still waiting for a phone call from his pickup.           Bill is survived by his wife, Mina De Vries; daughter, Nancy (Bill) Black of Oelwein, IA; daughter, Glenda (Jay) De Boer of Rock Rapids, IA; grandchildren, Chris (Jennifer) Black of Independence, IA, Joshua (Megan) Black of Oelwein, IA, Sarah Lewis of Oelwein, IA, Anna Jones of Battle Creek, MI, Jason (Kristin) De Boer of Sioux Center, IA, Darrin (Amy) De Boer of Rock Rapids, IA and Sherri (Marshall) Stuart of Pomeroy, IA; 13 great-grandchildren; sister, Alice Gorter of Sioux Falls, SD; sister-in-law, Bertha Fikse of Edgerton, MN; nieces, nephews, and other extended family members.           He was proceded in death by his parents, John and Minnie De Vries; brothers, Lou, Gerrit, Henry, and John; and sisters, Minnie, Fannie, and Jennie.