Jake Van Beek

Rock Valley, IA: Jacob Van Beek, 86, of Rock Valley, Iowa, died Monday, February 26, 2018 at Whispering Heights in Rock Valley. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 6, at 10:30 AM at Netherlands Reformed Congregation of Rock Valley with Rev. E.C. Adams officiating. Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery of Rock Valley. Visitation, with the family present, will be held Monday, March 5, from 5:00-7:00 PM at Porter Funeral Home of Rock Valley. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Netherlands Reformed Christian School.

Jacob Van Beek, son of Albert G. and Nancy (Van Noort) Van Beek, was born March 19, 1931 near Rock Valley, Iowa. Jake proudly served his country, during the Korean War, as a member of the United States Military from 1952-1954. Jake was stationed in Japan and his fiancé, Cora Van De Stroet, and him would write letters to each other every day. Jake was united in marriage with Cora on December 17, 1954. To this union, six children were born; Evonne, Alvina, Donna Mae, Jim, Harlen, and Tara. They farmed by Hull and did custom chopping. In 1962, the family moved to a farm near Fairview, South Dakota. They moved to Rock Valley in 1992 and into Whispering Heights in 2016.

Jake thought so much of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and prayed for them daily. He was a lifelong member of the Netherlands Reformed Congregation. He was very involved in helping establish the Netherlands Reformed Christian School. Jake served on various boards and committees. He continued working on the farm till he took a part-time job at Town and Country Implement in Rock Valley. Jake even continued to mow the lawn at the Netherlands Reformed Christian School until this last fall.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Cora; five children, Evonne (Leonard D.) Rozeboom of Rock Valley, Alvina (Dwight) De Noble of Larchwood, Iowa, Jim (Tami) Van Beek of Inwood, Iowa, Harlen (Laura) Van Beek of Inwood, and Tara (Steve) Rus of Rock Valley; 23 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; three brothers, John (Gert) Van Beek of Rock Valley, Gerard (Jeanette) Van Beek of Rock Valley, and Daniel (Peggy) Van Beek of Okoboji, Iowa; two sisters, Leona Van De Stroet of Jasper, Minnesota, and Norma (Gilbert) Vanden Top of Rock Valley; four sisters-in-law, Esther Van Beek of Scottsdale, Arizona, Toni Van De Stroet of Inwood, Tillie (Wilbur) Zeilstra of Fairview, and Albertha (Anton) Kampen of Fairview; and three brothers-in-law, Mace (Carol) Van De Stroet of Inwood, Gil (Sharon) Van De Stroet of Inwood, and Arnie Zomermaand of Inwood.

Jake was preceded in death by his parents, Albert G. and Nancy Van Beek; daughter, Donna Mae Van Beek; great-granddaughter, Crystal Dawn Rozeboom; two brothers, Marion (Henrietta) Van Beek, and Albert Van Beek; two brothers-in-law, Gerrit Van De Stroet, and Henry Van De Stroet; and sister-in-law, Betty Zomermaand.

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