Lewis Arkema, 90, of Sioux Center, went to be with his Lord and Savior Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024, at Crown Pointe Estates in Sioux Center. A family prayer service was held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10, at First Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Center. Interment followed in Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center. A memorial service was held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 10, at First Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Center. The Arkema family prefers memorials directed to World Renew/Disaster Response Services.
Lewis Gilbert Arkema was born Apr. 23, 1934, on a farm near Lynnville. He was the eleventh of 12 children of Oney and Katie (Bruxvoort) Arkema. Lewis grew up on the farm, attended Sully Christian School, and graduated from Pella Christian High School. He furthered his education at Calvin College, then Drake University, receiving his master of education degree.
Lewis was united in marriage to Jean Van Rees on Dec. 19, 1957, in Sully. To this union, five daughters were born: Cheryl, Verna, Brenda, Debra, and Pamela. Lewis spent his career in Christian education in various cities including Chicago, IL, Ireton, South Holland, IL, Orange City, and Sioux Center. Throughout his life, he offered support and love to his wife, girls, and their families. He enjoyed woodworking and camping with his family.
Sioux Center continued to be Lew and Jean’s home in retirement. They enjoyed volunteer work, including Rehoboth Christian School and World Renew/Disaster Response Services.
Lew’s conviction was, “I have retired from my profession, not from service to the Lord.”
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Jean, of 66 years; children: Cherie (Norlyn) Van Beek of New Holland, SD, Verna (Ed) Westra of Hull, Brenda (Bob) Holtrop of Omaha, NE, Deb Bolkema of Hull, and Pam (Keith) Korthuis of Lynden, WA; 18 grandchildren; 46 great-grand-children; siblings June Rozendaal, Alan Arkema, and Ed (Leona) Arkema. Of his wife Jean’s family, he leaves the following sisters-in-law Delores Van Rees and Cynthia (Terry) Hayworth. He is also cherished by many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings John (Iva) Arkema, Dorm (Beulah) Arkema, Marjorie (Freeman) Van Gorp, Bernard (Cornelia) Arkema, Betty (Earl) Dykema, Hermina (Henry) Rolffs, Nelson (Dorothy) Arkema, Junior Rozendaal, and Grace (Harris) Van Kooten; parents-in-law Cecil and Minnie Van Rees; and brother-in-law Gary Van Rees.
Blessed be his memory.
