Eric "Rick" Bloemendaal

Rock Valley, IA: Eric “Rick” Bloemendaal, 55, of Rock Valley, Iowa, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, February 17, 2025, at Avera Merrill Pioneer Hospital in Rock Rapids, Iowa. A funeral service will be held Friday, February 21, at 1:00 PM at Porter Funeral Home in Rock Valley. Burial will follow at Hillside Cemetery in Doon, Iowa. Visitation, with the family present, will be held Thursday, February 20, from 5:30-7:00 PM at Porter Funeral Home in Rock Valley.

  Born on the 1st of March in 1969, Eric “Rick” Lee Bloemendaal was the youngest of 6 children, son of Nick and Tress (Otten) Bloemendaal. He grew up on the family farm, close to where the Rock River and Little Rock River join to form the Big Rock River. As a child he attended Doon Christian School and Western Christian High School. In September of 1988, he and Brenda Van Den Oever were married at the young age of 19, and they went on to share 22 years of life together, having three children during that time.

  He and his brothers, along with neighboring friends, spent countless hours exploring the “woods” and riding dirt bikes up and down the trails along the grassy riverbanks. Soon, the dirt bikes were replaced by motor bikes, then cars, and so began the endless task of keeping them running and “appearance ready”. Rick’s passion for anything with a motor led to a career as an auto body restorer, and for more than 25 years, he was employed with Arrow Manufacturing in Rock Rapids, IA, and was considered one of the best auto body painters in the area. 

  Rick lived life on his own terms. He made each day his own, doing what he loved and what was important to him. God created him that way. His heart was kind and right, having publicly acknowledged Jesus as his Lord and Savior years ago. Anyone who knew him knew exactly how kind and compassionate he was and what a good friend he was to everyone. Rick was the type of man who would stop and chat with someone he knew when he would see them. He was always there for his children and anyone else who needed his help.

  Rick continued to acknowledge and worship the great God of the universe in his love of everything outdoors. He was a dedicated and avid fisher, quite often using his free time to go down to local rivers to do just that. His closest fishing buddy was his son, Christopher, and the two dogs they took care of together, Jetta and Onyx. Quite often, Jetta and Onyx acted as his emotional support, since they always knew when he needed some comfort and would be right there when he needed them most. When he found out he was going to be a grandpa for the first time, he was absolutely thrilled, and kept reminding his daughter, Myrissa, that she would need to bring his future grandson around so he could teach him how to fish.

  Recently, Rick bought a Ranger, which was something he had always wanted to buy In the time he owned it, Rick managed to put on a lot of miles because of how much he enjoyed driving it around. Wednesday nights for Rick were spent throwing darts on his dart team, which was a hobby he was very dedicated to and passionate about. 

  This past Monday, February 17, 2025, he passed away suddenly, while working at a job he loved. For those that knew him, Monday was a sad day, because we will miss him. For Rick, it was the first day of his Brand-New Life. We celebrate that and honor his memory. He is survived by two sons, Christopher of Rock Valley, IA, Nathan of Alvord, IA; and a daughter, Myrissa of Sioux City, IA, who is expecting a son and Rick’s first grandchild with her partner Mason, in late April. Also surviving are two brothers, Cliff (Kathy) of Mendon, MO, and Darrell (Dori) of Hull, IA; two sisters, Cheryl (Bob) Weerheim of Harrisburg, SD, and Darla (Gail) Van Berkum of Doon, IA; sister-in-law, Gwen (Jamie) Van Voorst of Hull, IA; and many nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents, Nick and Tress Bloemendaal; and a brother, Norwyn Bloemendaal.