Arlin Van Kekerix

ROCK VALLEY, IOWA ~ Arlin J. Van Kekerix, 71, of rural Rock Valley, passed away on Saturday, May 27, 2023 at Hegg Health Center in Rock Valley.

   Funeral Service will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at Carmel Reformed Church in Carmel with Dale Ellens officiating. Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery at Rock Valley. A time of lunch and fellowship will be at Faith Reformed Church in Rock Valley after the committal service. Public Viewing, with no family present, will be from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday at Porter Funeral Home in Rock Valley. The service will be livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/carmelreformedchurch/live_videos/?ref=page_internal.

   Condolences may be sent to www.porterfuneralhomes.com. Arlin’s family prefers memorials be directed to Bethesda Christian Counseling 400 Central Avenue NW Suite 300 Orange City, Iowa 51041. www.bethesdachristiancounseling.org.

   Arlin Jay Van Kekerix, son of Bert and Jeanette (Vande Hoef), was born on December 25, 1951, in Sioux Center, Iowa. He attended Rock Valley Community School through the ninth grade and started farming with his father west of Rock Valley. On June 28, 1972, Arlin married Geneva Blom, who he had met riding his bike as a child years earlier. Despite the sudden loss of his father a few years later, Arlin, at age 26, took on the responsibility of operating the family farm with passion and determination. He was a family man, deeply devoted to his wife of nearly 51 years and his four beloved sons.

   Arlin's dedication to his family, employees, and community stands as a testament to his character. He selflessly provided for his family and strove to ensure their success, whether by buying farm equipment or musical instruments. He was a natural communicator and always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it. To Arlin, friends and employees became family, and he worked tirelessly to ensure their success and happiness. Arlin cherished giving back to his community by serving on the Farmers Elevator Company, Hegg Memorial Hospital, and Farmers Lumber Company boards for many years. His generosity will live on in the countless lives he touched and the love he shared with those around him.

   Despite the challenges and sacrifices of caring for a loved one with a debilitating illness, his wife, Geneva, lovingly and faithfully provided him with a comforting life at home. With the generous help of loving caregivers and a deeply supportive family, Geneva took Arlin on many adventures and vacations, creating cherished memories for a lifetime. Most importantly, Arlin’s faith strengthened through his battle with Parkinson’s, which he communicated clearly to his family and the Lord.

   We will miss Arlin's sense of humor, his blunt way of saying what he thought, his unwavering work ethic, and his kind heart. His legacy as a husband, father, grandpa, great-grandpa, brother, uncle, mentor, farmer, and friend will live on, and we are grateful to have known and loved him. 

   Arlin is survived by his wife, Geneva; 4 children, Scott (Erika) and their children, Kendrick (Aubrey) & great-grandchild Landry, Brayton (Juliana), Landyn, and Kavri of Rock Valley, Bruce (Lisa) and their children, Lexie, Austin, and Alex of Rock Valley, Todd (Casey) of Houston, TX, and Barry (Kelly) and their children Lane, Tyke, and Tacey of Rock Valley; sisters, Marilyn (Harley) Berentschot of Inwood and Karen (Delbert) Cox of Rock Valley; brother, Berwyn (Kristi) Van Kekerix of Rock Valley; sisters-in-law, Gertrude Blom of Rock Valley, Clarene (Roger) Kooima of Sioux Falls, SD, and Mary (Vern) Postma of Rock Valley.

   Preceding Arlin in death were his parents, Bert and Jeanette (Vande Hoef); parents-in-law, James and Agnes (Van Beek) Blom; brother-in-law, Clarence Blom; and niece, Julie Van Ginkel.