Kenneth D. Fynaardt, 84, of Pella passed away Monday, Aug. 12, 2019, at Hospice of Pella Comfort House. Funeral services were Saturday, Aug. 17, at 10:30 a.m. at Peoria Christian Reformed Church. The family suggests memorial contributions be made for the Peoria Christian School or for the FFA program at Pella Christian High School.
Kenneth Dean Fynaardt was born on July 12, 1935, at the home of his parents, Tunis and Jacoba (Rozenboom) Fynaardt in Mahaska County. Ken grew up with twin brothers, Leland Eugene and Leo Gerald and later his brother, Melvin Duane and sister, Carolyn Henrietta. The family lived on a farm south of Oskaloosa where he attended a country school until fifth grade, and he began the sixth grade at Oskaloosa Christian School. Later, the family moved to a farm north of New Sharon, and Ken finished his elementary education at Peoria Christian School. He then enrolled at Pella Christian High School, and following some challenges, graduated with the Class of 1953.
Aug. 6, 1957, he and Margy Ann Nieuwsma were united in marriage at the Peoria Christian Reformed Church, and to this union three children were born: Russell Allen, Lorraine Joy, and Kelvin Lee.
Ken enlisted into the Army National Guard in January 1958 and was released from active duty to complete his remaining service obligation in October 1965.
During this time, Ken and Marge began their farming operation south of Taintor and used their wedding money to purchase their first livestock. Ken continued a successful livestock/grain farming operation until 2005 when he sold their hog operation, and for Ken, this was a step towards retirement. In January 1994, they built their home in Pella, however, he continued going to the farm almost daily. Ken and Margy enjoyed many cruises, going on tractor rides, and driving in parades. In 2018, he was diagnosed with Myelofibrosis and passed away Aug. 12, 2019, shortly after arriving at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House.
Ken and Marge had recently observed their 62nd wedding anniversary and she survives him along with their three children: Russ (Myrna) Fynaardt of New Sharon, Lori (Jim) Faber of Byron Center, MI, and Kelvin (Lisa) Fynaardt of Kirkland, WA; eight grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Of his original family, Ken leaves his sister, Carolyn (Bill) Heethuis of Caledonia, MI; his sisters-in-law: Dona Fynaardt and Carol Fynaardt both of Pella, Sylvia Nieuwsma of Pella, and Frances Walraven of Oskaloosa.
Ken was preceded in death by a great-granddaughter, Caitlin Mae Faber; his parents; his brothers: Melvin Fynaardt, Leo Fynaardt, Leland Fynaardt and his wife, Edna; his brother-in-law, Allen Van Zee; his parents-in-law, Rens and Anna (Vander Molen) Nieuwsma; and brothers-in-law: Gerald Nieuwsma, Henry Nieuwsma, and Marvin Walraven.
Ken had been a member of the Peoria Christian School Board, the Taintor Co-op Board, and the Christian Opportunity Center Board. He was a member of the Dutch Masters Car Club and Red Rock Threshers. Ken was baptized at the Oskaloosa Christian Reformed Church and made profession of his faith at the Peoria Christian Reformed Church. He had been an active member of the Peoria Christian Reformed Church where he shared his leadership gifts in many capacities as an elder, deacon, and youth leader.
