James Allen Steenhoek was born in Oskaloosa on Jan. 19, 1940. Jim was the fourth of six children born to Walter and Anna (Van Zee) Steenhoek. He was baptized at Leighton Christian Reformed Church where he later made his profession of faith. He attended Leighton Christian Grade School and graduated from Pella Christian High School in 1958.
Jim enlisted in the United States Army in December 1958 and was privileged to serve in the military until his discharge in November 1961. After this time, Jim and Sheryll Ann Van Wyk were united in marriage on Oct. 11, 1963, at Sully Christian Reformed Church. Following his discharge, Jim began working for and farming with Steve De Cook near Leighton. While doing so, Steenhoeks’ four children were born: Sandra Renae, Jerry Eugene, Daniel James, and Brent Allen. Jim then began driving truck for Leonard Simmons and eventually purchased the business hauling grain and livestock with Bill Bruxvoort. Jim purchased the family farm from Walter and continued to farm until moving to Pella in 1990. Starting in 1990, he worked at Pella Precast for approximately five years. Jim and Sheryll attended Leighton Christian Reformed Church while living on the farm. They have attended Faith Christian Reformed Church since moving to Pella.
Jim, who walked with canes for 26 years, remained fiercely independent. He never gave up his dedication and commitment to the Pella Christian Schools and was a bus driver for 45 years. Sports remained a vital interest after he played fastpitch softball, coached Little League baseball, and umped for Little League and high school baseball teams. Following in his father Walter’s footsteps, Jim took over as cemetery manager for the Evergreen Cemetery, located near their family farm, a place of many memories for their family yet today. Jim continued in this position until his death on Jan. 10, 2023. He passed away in his sleep at their home nine days before his 83rd birthday. The family celebrated their last Christmas on New Year’s weekend and look forward to sharing eternal life with him in heaven.
Survivors are his faithful wife of almost 60 years, Sheryll; their four children: Sandra (Dr. Daniel) Vanden Bosch of Sioux Center, Jerry (Dr. Joy) Steenhoek of Hawarden, Daniel (Vickie) Steenhoek of Algona, and Brent (Vicki) Steenhoek; 10 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Of his original family, Jim leaves his brother Loren (Marge) Steenhoek of Pella, his brother-in-law Owen Ver Meer of Leighton; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Larry and Sharon Van Wyk of Searsboro, Berneda Steenhoek of Pella, Shirley (Melvin) Dunsbergen of Lynnville; and many nephews and nieces.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, two infant sisters, sister Betty and her husband Peter Hessing, and sister Esther Ver Meer; his parents-in-law Ray and Dora (Jansen) Van Wyk; and his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Darrell and Mary Van Wyk, Marvin Steenhoek, and Joyce Van Wyk.
Memorial services were held Saturday, Jan. 14, at 11 a.m. at Faith Christian Reformed Church, Pella. A family committal service with military rites preceded the services at Evergreen Cemetery, Leighton. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorial contributions for Pella Christian Grade School.
