Henry Van Oort

Rock Rapids, IA        Henry Van Oort, age 97 of Rock Rapids, IA died Thursday, April 6, 2017 at Lyon Specialty Care in Rock Rapids, IA.        Funeral service will be 10:30 AM Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids, IA with Rev. Dan Haggar officiating.        Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in Rock Rapids, with military honors by Rex Strait American Legion and Van Anne-Fields VFW of Rock Rapids.        Visitation will be Monday from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM with family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids, IA.        Henry Van Oort was born on November 1, 1919 in Matlock, IA, the son of Cornelius and Albertha (Neyenhuis) Van Oort. He grew up in the Hollandale, MN, Sibley, IA and Larchwood, IA areas. He attended country school in Centennial Township, Lyon County, IA. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in January 1944 and attended boot camp at Farragut, ID. The military sent him to diesel mechanic school at Iowa State University. He was later honorably discharged as a Motor Machinist Mate 2nd Class in April of 1946. On October 16, 1947, he was united in marriage to Myrna De Haan in Hills, MN. To this union six children were born: Clayton, Curtis, Debra, Daryl, Cheryl and Glenda. The couple lived in Sioux Falls from 1947 to 1957, where he worked at Montgomery Wards for a time and later owned and operated a garbage service. The couple then moved to Rock Rapids, IA where they owned Van’s OK Hardware for twenty years. After selling it, Henry went to work for Rock Rapids Air Conditioning & Heating.      Henry was a member of the First Reformed Church of Rock Rapids, where he had been active as an Elder and taught catechism. He served on the board and volunteered at the Union Gospel Mission for many years. He was also a member of the Rex Strait American Legion of Rock Rapids.      He loved to play cards, golf, fish and travel with his wife. He was very mission minded and would help anyone who needed his help. Henry will be greatly missed.        Henry is survived by five children: Curtis (Irene) Van Oort of Rock Valley, IA, Debra (Wendell) Brenneman of Sioux Falls, SD, Daryl (Raylynn) Van Oort of Helena, MT, Cheryl (Tim) Ageton of Sioux Falls, SD and Glenda DePenning of Urbandale, IA; twenty grandchildren, twenty-three great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and other extended family.        He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Myrna; son, Clayton; brothers, Albert and Arnold; sisters, Jane Burgers, Eva Van Berkum and Harriet Thompson; and great-granddaughter, Aspen Bostic.      In lieu of flowers family prefers memorial be directed to: Lyon Specialty Care or Sanford Hospice of Rock Rapids.