John Schoonhoven, 81, of Holland, MN, died Mar. 25, 2015, at Pipestone County Medical Center in Pipestone, MN. Funeral services were held Mar. 28 at Holland (MN) Christian Reformed Church of which he was a member. Interment with military honors was in the Holland (MN) Cemetery.
John Gerrit Schoonhoven was born to Gerrit and Gertie (Van Hill) Schoonhoven on Sept. 11, 1933, in Steen, MN. When he was six years old, he moved with his parents to a farm two miles south of Holland, MN, where he attended school. In 1946, he again moved with his family to a farm north of Holland, and in 1951, to a farm near Ward, SD. John worked on the family farm with his dad until he entered the U.S. Marine Corps on Jan. 19, 1954, and served overseas during the Korean War. After his honorable discharge from the service on Jan. 18, 1956, he returned to Holland, MN. On Nov. 30, 1956, he was united in marriage to Nellie DeRuyter at the Christian Reformed Church in Holland, MN, where they lived following their marriage, and John worked as a truck driver for Fecker and Company in Pipestone, MN. When this company closed, he became employed by the Pipestone County Highway Department and continued to work for them for over 30 years until his retirement at the age of 65.
John was a member of the American Legion in Holland, MN, and the Holland Senior Center. He built his own workshop and made several items out of wood. He sold these items at many craft shows. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his two grandchildren.
He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Nellie of Holland, MN; his daughter, Miranda (Brent) Ford of Redwood Falls, MN; two grandchildren, Jordan and Jaycie Ford; his brother, Allen (Phyllis) Schoonhoven of Hospers; his sister, Lucille (Vernon) Jansen of Sully; his sister in-law, Nesta Schoonhoven of Brookings, SD; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his son, Merlyn Jay Schoonhoven; his parents; and one brother, Henry Schoonhoven.
