Obituary of Donald Kroese

Memorial Tribute Donald Kroese, the son of John and Mary (Mulenburg) Kroese was born in Sanborn, Iowa on January 16, 1926. He grew up on a farm near Sanborn and attended Sanborn Public School. In 1944, at the age of 18, he volunteered for the United States Navy. He served aboard the battleship Massachusetts until 1946. Most of his action during the war occurred in the South Pacific where he earned five battle stars. After returning from the war, Don was united in marriage to Eunice Vander Velde at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa on June 24, 1946. They were married for 61 years until Eunice's death in 2007. Don worked at AMPI in Sanborn for 41 years. Much of his life was devoted to public service. He served on the Sanborn City Council for 16 years. He was then elected mayor, serving for 24 years. He also was a hospice volunteer, and was a member of American Legion Post 318. For many years he volunteered for Upper Des Moines Opportunity, Inc. Don was a life-long member of First Reformed Church in Sanborn and served on its consistory. He enjoyed playing pool, cards, and dominos with friends and family and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Survivors include his sister, Evelyn; his three children: Ron Kroese and Kimberly Colburn of Falcon Hts., MN, Bob and Nancy Kroese of Pella, IA; and son-in-law, Dave Hofman of Primghar, IA; nine grandchildren: Gabriel, Jesse, Jasmine, Clarissa, Nathan, Stephen, Seth, Rebecca, Sarah; 16 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Eunice; daughter, Vonnie; his parents; his two brothers: Martin and Isaac; and sisters: Elsie and Jeanette. Memorials given in Don's name may be directed to Sanford Home Health and Hospice of Sheldon. Celebration of Life Donald Kroese Born ~ January 16, 1926 Died ~ September 9, 2015 Age ~ 89 years 7 months 23 days Memorial Service Monday, September 14, 2015 ~ 11:00 a.m. First Reformed Church Sanborn, Iowa Officiating ~ Rev. Mark Waterstone Organist ~ Carol Wiekamp Musical Tribute Harriet Van Veldhuizen and Jeane Van Veldhuizen "Remind Me, Dear Lord" "What A Day That Will Be" Congregational Singing Processional ~ "In the Garden" "Little Brown Church in the Vale" Recessional ~ "Great is Thy Faithfulness" Pallbearers Seth Hofman Stephen Hofman Matthew Pals Jesse Kroese Brian Pals Nathan Kroese Ushers John Haack ~ John Solsma Burial Roseland Cemetery Sanborn, Iowa <iframe id="tukios_player_512x330" allowfullscreen="true" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="330" scrolling="no" src="https://www.tributeslides.com/videos/embedded_video/CFCR6Z597DLFMZZD" width="512"></iframe>