John Krull

     John Krull age 88 of Rock Rapids, IA died Sunday, March 18, 2018 at the Rock Rapids Health Center in Rock Rapids, IA.        Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 23, 2018 at the First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids, IA with Rev. Dan Haggar officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in Rock Rapids.        Visitation will be Thursday, March 22nd from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with family present at the First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids, IA.      John Ervin Krull was born May 24, 1929 on a farm near George, IA to Harm and Rachael (Stubbe) Krull. He was raised on the farm and received his education at the Liberal Wheeler Country School. As a young man, John worked with his father on the farm and helped care for his mother who was in poor health. John loved his mother very much and when he was 16 years old his mother, Rachael, died. After a time, his father, Harm remarried and Sena was welcomed into the family to become their much cherished matriarch. On June 9, 1950 John was united in marriage to Eldora Van Goor in Rock Rapids. The couple made their home on a farm north of George. To this union two children were born. Merle and Sherri. Along with helping his father farm, John worked at assembling farm equipment in George, IA and later operated a farm of his own. John and Eldora raised their family on the farm and side by side worked the ground as well as milking and raising livestock. In 1969 the family moved to Rock Rapids. John then worked for the Lyon County Coop running a bulk tank truck delivering fuel to area farmers. He then went to work for the State Highway Department and for many years helped to keep up the area roads and ditches in the summer and plowing snow in the winter. After his “official” retirement, John spent 17 ½ years working with Roste Funeral Home and later Jurrens Funeral home as a part time helper with visitations and funerals. He enjoyed working with “the boys” and was a much valued member of their team.           John was a quiet and gentle man who preferred to listen rather than talk. He loved to speak German to members of the community who could converse with him. He was fluent in German and truly enjoyed speaking the language he had learned as a young boy from his parents. He was ready with a smile and to shake your hand. He enjoyed playing cards and taking his bride dancing at the VFW in Luverne. He had a love of motorcycles and was known to accept a ride or two in his advanced years. John will be forever remembered as a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He loved his family very much and was a fine example to them. He will be missed greatly.           John is survived by his wife of nearly 68 years, Eldora of Rock Rapids; son, Merle (Cheri) Krull of Henderson, NV; daughter, Sherri (Greg) DeJong of Rock Rapids; grandchildren, Kristi (Mark) Thoma of Fergus Falls, MN and their children Alexis and Marissa Thoma, David (Brittany) Krull of Marshall, MN and their daughter, Bentley; Breyen Thomsen of Portland, OR ; Amy (Eric) Borman and their daughter, Makayla DeJong all of Rock Rapids; Justin (Heather) DeJong and their daughter Kinley Vaudt of Ankeny, IA, Nathan (Sabrina) DeJong and their sons Jagger and Crew of Sioux Falls, SD, sister-in-law, Arlys Krull of George, IA; step-brother, Arthur (Shirley) Krull of George, IA; nieces, nephews and other extended family members.           He was preceded in death by his parents, Harm and Rachael Krull and step-mom, Sena Krull; sister, Tressa (Ben) Aning; and brothers, Filbert and Alvina[Van Goor] Krull and Kenneth Krull.