Harris Van Kooten, 90, of Pella and formerly of Searsboro, passed away early Sunday morning, Nov. 21, 2021, at The Cottages in Pella.
Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 27, at Calvary Christian Reformed Church, Pella. Interment with military honors followed at Oakwood Cemetery, Pella. Memorial contributions are suggested for Pella Christian High School or Mission Firefly in Hazel Green, AL.
Harris Willard Van Kooten was born May 5, 1931, in Sugar Creek Township near Searsboro, the second of four children born to Roy and Nellie (Dieleman) Van Kooten.
Harris grew up on the farm and attended Lynnville Junction Country School and Searsboro School through grade nine and enjoyed playing baseball for the school team. In February of 1952, Harris enlisted in the Air Force during the Korean War, where he was a propeller mechanic on B-29s, C119s, and SA16s. He was based in Texas, Idaho, Montana, England, and South Carolina. Aug. 6, 1953, he married Minerva Grace Arkema, whom he had met at Sully Christian Reformed Church. She traveled with him to some of his stateside assignments.
Harris was honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1956 after being awarded the National Defense Service Medal and a Good Conduct Medal. He farmed with his father, Roy, on the family farm near Searsboro, where he and Grace raised their six children. He was an elder and a deacon at Sully Christian Reformed Church and was on the Sully Christian Bus Board and School Board.
Harris and Grace moved to Pella in 1995. He worked for Ring-O-Matic and De Ruiter Lawn Equipment, where he became a special friend of owner Case De Haan and enjoyed their conversations. He volunteered for the Cary, MS, truck and was willing to help out wherever needed. He loved spending time with old tractors and going with his sons and grandsons on Red Rock Threshers tractor rides.
As he and Grace moved to the Pella Manor and later to The Cottages, Harris was dedicated to taking care of Grace. He loved spending time with family and took great joy in his children, grandchildren, and great-grand-children. He will be remembered for his quiet humor, his accepting manner, and his strong faith—he always asserted he was “saved by grace.”
Harris was a member of Van Veen-Van Hemert American Legion Post No. 89 and Calvary Christian Reformed Church in Pella.
Harris is survived by his wife, Grace; and their six children and their families: Kraig (Jennifer) Van Kooten of Harvey, Keith (Nancy) Van Kooten of Caledonia, MI, Kent (Valerie) Van Kooten of Pella, Kelvin (Tammy) Van Kooten of Pella, Kelly (Elizabeth) Van Kooten of Chatham, IL, and Gwenda (David) Klyn of Harvey; as well as other special people in his life: A cousin, Denny Dieleman; and former daughter-in-law, Kathy (Kelvin) Van Kooten.
Harris is also survived by several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Clarine (Donald) Van Kooten and Gary (Muriel Van Kooten) Tromp; June (Arkema) Rozendaal, Alan Arkema, Lewis and Jean Arkema, and Edwin and Leona Arkema.
Harris was preceded in death by his parents, his great-granddaughter Yvaine Van Kooten, his brother Donald Van Kooten, and his sisters Celia and her husband Marvin Zylstra and Muriel Tromp.
