Kenneth L. Van Maanen, 84, of Sully, passed away Friday, Nov. 15, 2019, at Hospice of Pella Comfort House. Funeral services were held Wednesday, Nov. 20, at 10:30 a.m. at Sully Christian Reformed Church. Interment followed in Sully Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested for the Bible League or Hospice of Pella.
Kenneth was a loving husband to his wife, Charlene, with whom he had recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary; and a caring father and grandfather to their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Kenneth and Charlene were the parents of seven children and their spouses: Randy (Tracey) Van Maanen of Eddyville, Vicki (Darryl) Beach of Fremont, Linda Kirkland of Scottsdale, AZ, the late Craig L. Van Wyk, Gail (Paul) Van Beek of Pella, Pamela (Timothy) Kramer of Sioux Center, and Kevin (Melanie) Van Maanen of Sully. Kenneth had 16 grandchildren, nine great-grand-children, a brother, Alvin (Marcia) Van Maanen of Oskaloosa, and a sister, Joyce Groenendyk of Leighton.
Kenneth Lee Van Maanen was born Apr. 5, 1935, on a farm near Leighton to Brandt and Clara (Steenhoek) Van Maanen. In his younger years, his family moved to a farm near Fremont. He attended country school and school in Fremont. Later when the family moved to Cedar, Kenneth continued his education and graduated from Cedar High School in 1953. He attended Cedar Christian Reformed Church, where he made profession of his faith. Following his grad-uation, Kenneth worked for various farmers. July 12, 1955, he was united in marriage with Jeanne Kelderman, and they moved to Michigan where Kenneth worked for Osborn Builders of Grand Rapids, MI, for 2-1/2 years. During this time, their son Randy Laverne was born. Kenneth returned to Iowa and from 1959-1967 drove semi-truck for Peoria Stockyards and worked for a short term at Sully Co-op Lumber. During this time, Vicki Lynn and Linda Leann were born. Kenneth then began driving semi-truck for Coca Cola Food Division.
Sept. 5, 1969, he was united in marriage to Charlene Faye (Jansen) Van Wyk. Charlene had three children: Craig Laverne, Gail Diane, and Pamela Carol with her late husband, Carroll Dwain Van Wyk, and together Kenneth and Charlene welcomed into their blended family, their son, Kevin Joel. Kenneth began farming near Sully in February 1971 and drove truck part-time for Lynnville Transport and Sully Transport. Kenneth and Charlene moved to an acreage west of Sully in December 2009. He continued to farm with his son Kevin until the decline of his health in 2017. Kenneth enjoyed going on tractor rides with the WHO Tractor Ride and Red Rock Threshers. He served as a deacon at Sully Christian Reformed Church, and served on the Sully Christian School and Sully Co-op Boards. He also found much fulfillment volunteering on CRWRC assignments.
