Alvin "Al" John Van't Land

Inwood—  Alvin “Al” John Van’t Land, 87, of Inwood, Iowa passed from this life into the arms of Jesus while sleeping in his home at Fellowship Apartments on Thursday, July 23, 2020.

   Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 28, at 10:00 A.M. at Inwood Christian Reformed Church, with Reverend Adam Eisenga officiating.  Burial with military honors will follow at Richland Cemetery of Inwood.  Visitation with the family present will be 6:00-7:30 P.M. on Monday, July 27 at Inwood Christian Reformed Church.  Porter Funeral Home of Inwood has been entrusted with arrangements. The funeral service will be livestreamed at www.facebook.com/InwoodCRC/. There will be no public luncheon following the service due to the COVID 19 virus.

   Al was born on a farm southeast of Inwood on September 30, 1932 to John and Johanna (Juffer) Van’t Land.  He grew up on farms near Inwood, Larchwood and Lester, Iowa. He was baptized and made profession of his faith in the Inwood Christian Reformed Church.  He attended country grade schools and went to high school in Lester his freshman year and to Larchwood his remaining 3 years, graduating in 1950. 

   He helped his father on the farm until being drafted in the Army in May 1953, taking his basic training in Fort Riley, KS.  On September 24, 1953 he married Marlene Kooistra at Inwood Christian Reformed Church. The couple spent 2 months living at Fort Riley, KS until Al was called to serve in Korea.  While in Korea their oldest son, Jim, was born. He was honorably discharged in May, 1955.

   He worked briefly for a farmer south of Rock Valley before taking a job in 1955 with the Inwood Farmer’s Coop, where he worked in various roles for 39 years until his retirement on September 30, 1994.  Al served on the Inwood Christian School Board, was a youth leader, Elder, attended Bible studies from boyhood through his adult years, and  sang in the choir at Inwood Christian Reformed Church.  He also enjoyed playing on the church softball team.  Al was an active member of the American Legion Post #310.

   Al enjoyed spending time with his immediate and extended family, traveling, bi-annual Van’t Land reunion, the annual Van’t Land pheasant hunting week, serving on Justice for All mission trips, tinkering in his shop, and helping family and friends with projects.  In recent years he enjoyed mowing and doing small odd jobs for Fellowship Village. He will be remembered for his strong faith in Jesus, quick wit, hard work ethic, and servant heart.

   He is survived by Marlene, his wife of nearly 67 years; son, Jim (Holly) of Castle Rock, CO and their children: Susie (Jeff) Guille, Alan (Michelle) Van’t Land, John (Jenny) Van’t Land, and  Laura (Eric) Olson;  son, Rob (Bonnie) of Hull, IA and their sons: Drew (Julianne) Van’t Land, J.C. (Ellie) Van’t Land, and Gabe (Kayla) Van’t Land; daughter, Jo (Roger) Boon of Hull, IA and their children: Nichole (Jared) Blankespoor, Rhonda (Zack) Van Wyhe, and Randy (Brittany) Boon; 25 great-grandchildren; brothers, Ray (Elaine) Van’t Land of Jenison, MI and Marv (Judy) Van’t Land of Escondido, CA; sisters, Arlene (Cliff) Vande Vegte of  Escondido, CA, Mary  (Ed) Blankespoor of Boyden, IA; in-laws, Harv (Florence) Kooistra of Grandville, MI, Lloyd (Marcene) Kempema of Greely, CO, Carol Van’t Land of Bloomington, MN, and Arlene Kooistra of Hills, MN, along with numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins.

   Al was preceded in death by his parents, his parents-in-law, Martin and Jenny Kooistra; brothers, Ted (Irene) Van’t Land, Jake Van’t Land; and Marlene's siblings, John Kooistra, Rich (Fonda) Kooistra, and Willis (Ella Mae) Kooistra.

   In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to the Inwood Christian School Foundation, 302 East Madison Street, Inwood, IA  51240.