Sebertus Kooima

Inwood, IA: Sebertus Kooima, age 84, of Inwood, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, January 14, 2021, at Fellowship Village in Inwood, Iowa. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 23 at 10:30 AM at the New Life Assembly of God Church in Inwood with Pastor Tim Larson and Pastor David Pendley officiating. The service will be livestreamed at https://www.porterfuneralhomes.com/obituary/Sebertus-Kooima. A private family burial will take place prior to the service at the Richland Cemetery east of Inwood. Public visitation will be held Friday, January 22 from 3:00-7:00 PM at the Porter Funeral Home in Inwood, Iowa. The family will not be present. The Kooima family prefers memorials be directed to Fellowship Village of Inwood, Iowa. Social distancing protocols will be followed and the wearing of a mask is required.

   Sebertus Kooima was born May 18, 1936 near Rock Valley, Iowa, the son of Simon and Maggie (Prins) Kooima. He grew up on the farm and graduated from Western Christian High School. While living at home he worked with his Dad, learning many things and developing his love of farming.

   He was united in marriage to Rozenda Bartels in 1956. They were blessed with five children. Sebertus devoted most of his working time and energy to farming. He also worked at Kooima Manufacturing for 12 years. He was a founding member of New Life Assembly of God church in Inwood and remained active, serving on the board for several years, as well as teaching adult Sunday School.

   In his younger years, Sebertus enjoyed playing fast-pitch softball and taking vacations with the family and friends. In later years he loved letting his grandkids climb all over him, letting them cut his hair, and having them fall asleep on his shoulder while he may or may not have napped also.  He got a lot of joy from playing the town Santa Clause the past few years.

   After farming for 49 years east of Inwood, Sebertus and Rose retired to town in 2008. For many years they wintered near family in California. They moved to Fellowship Village in August of 2019. Rose passed away in November of that year.

   Sebertus is survived by his five children, Steven Kooima, Marla Ter Wee, Harlan (Kim) Kooima, Lisa (Stacey) Kooima, and Scott Kooima; 12 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

   He was preceded in death by his wife, Rose; parents, Simon and Maggie Kooima; sister and brother-in-law, Katherine and Joe Van Ballegooyen; daughter-in-law, Wanda Kooima; son-in-law, James Ter Wee; and grandson, Jonathan Kooima.