Richard Henry Van Kooten was born Nov. 19, 1927, near Taintor and was taken home to be with his Lord on Dec. 20, 2019, at the age of 92 years while being cared for at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House in Pella.
Memorial service was held Friday, Dec. 27, at Calvary Christian Reformed Church, Pella.
Richard was the second of five children born to Henry and Wilma (Vande Kieft) Van Kooten. He graduated from New Sharon High School and attended Central College in Pella. Richard entered the United States Army in 1946, and his second enlistment period ended in 1953 when his younger brother Calvin Van Kooten, who was also in the U.S. Army, was killed.
Richard met Dorothy Jean Dahm at a Christmas caroling party at the Peoria Christian Reformed Church where they were then united in marriage Aug. 6, 1954. Together they had six children: Cheryl Jean, Pamela Joy, twins David Ray and Robert Jay, Robert Calvin, and Kathy Lou.
Richard was employed at White Way Auto in Pella, and for 33 years was the owner of the Peoria Store in Peoria after his father-in-law, Jacob Dahm, retired.
Rich, as he was known, enjoyed studying World War II history and keeping up with current events. He served terms as a deacon at Peoria Christian Reformed Church and served on the school board at Peoria Christian School. He later served as an elder at Calvary Christian Reformed Church in Pella.
He and Dorothy enjoyed traveling to different parts of the United States and to other countries, especially The Netherlands. They have special memories of their family vacations at Horseshoe Lake in Minnesota.
Rich professed Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Oskaloosa, was a faithful member of Peoria Christian Reformed Church for many years, and at present time was a member of Calvary Christian Reformed Church in Pella.
Among his family and friends, Rich showed his love for Christ through unfailing kindness and by never withholding a smile. He always had a joke ready for his store customers, family, and all he came into contact with to cheer up their day.
Rich will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Dorothy: and their children: Cheryl Hageman of Highlands Ranch, CO, Pam (Rick) Boat of Pella, David (Irene) Van Kooten of Marysville, WA, Rev. Robert (Jenee) Van Kooten of Oak Harbor, WA; and Kathy Howey of Pella; 16 grandchildren; and one great-grandson. Of his original family, Richard is survived by his sister, Joyce Mae Star of Pella and a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Estella (Dahm) and Allen Vis of Edgerton, MN.
He was preceded in death by his twin son, Robert Jay, in infancy; his parents; a sister, Betty Virginia, who died in infancy; his brother, Calvin Paul; his sister, Iris Faye and her husband Gilbert L. Vander Hart; his brother-in-law, Edd Star; along with his parents-in-law, Jacob and Effie (Stursma) Dahm; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dr. James and Marlene Dahm.
