Arie Bliek

Inwood, IA: Arie Bliek, of Inwood, Iowa, passed to his Heavenly home on May 9, 2023, at the age of 92. A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, May 13, at 1:30 PM at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church of rural Inwood with Pastor James Koller officiating. Burial at Richland Cemetery of Inwood will follow after a time of coffee and cookies following the service. Visitation, with the family present, will be from 5:00-7:00 PM on Friday, May 12 at Porter Funeral Home of Inwood. Condolences may be sent to www.porterfuneralhomes.com and memorials may be given to Lake Pahoja or Fellowship Village.

   Arie was born to Bert and Grace (Ver Doorn) Bliek on October 27, 1930, on a farm near Inwood, Iowa. He attended country school until the 8^th grade, when he became a life long farmer. On September 8, 1950, he married Coba Jacobsma. To this union were born seven children: Sharon (died at birth), Larry (Connie) Bliek, Donna (Ron) Bos, Dennis (passed at the age of 17), Harlan (Shari) Bliek, Cheryl (Russ) Borchardt, and Connie (Joel) Pollema. Coba passed in 2004 after 54 years of marriage. In 2007, he wed Darlene Wagenaar. He is step-father to 3 childern: Alan (Terresa) Wagenaar, Lori (Dennis) Heemstra, and Clayton (Jodi) Wagenaar. He is grandfather to 11 grandchildren, 11 step-grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, 10 step-great-grandchildren, and 2 step-great-great-grandchildren.

   Arie farmed near Larchwood, Iowa until his retirement in 1995. His family and faith were especially important to him. Arie had a charm and wit about him that drew people to him and made a difference in many peoples lives. His love for the land and his community made him very active in numerous community projects, one being president of Fellowship Village, where he was president of the board when it was built and where he spent his last days before he passed.