John G. Schoonhoven

JOHN GERRIT SCHOONHOVEN was born to Gerrit and Gertie (Van Hill) Schoonhoven on September 11, 1933 in Steen, Minnesota. When he was six years old, he moved with his parents to a farm two miles south of Holland, Minnesota where he attended school. In 1946, he again moved with his family to a farm north of Holland, and in 1951, to a farm near Ward, South Dakota. John worked on the family farm with his dad until he entered the U.S. Marine Corp on January 19, 1954, and served overseas during the Korean War. After his discharge from the service on January 18, 1956, he returned to Holland. On November 30, 1956, he was united in marriage to Nellie DeRuyter at the Christian Reformed Church in Holland. Following their marriage, they lived in Holland and John worked as a truck driver for Fecker and Company in Pipestone. When this company closed, he became employed by the Pipestone County Highway Department and continued to work for them for over 30 years until his retirement at the age of 65. On March 25, 2015, John died at the Pipestone County Medical Center in Pipestone. He lived to reach that age of 81 years, 6 months and 14 days.

John was a member of the Christian Reformed Church in Holland. He was also a member of the American Legion in Holland and the Holland Senior Center. He built his own workshop and made several items out of wood. He sold these items at many craft shows. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his two grandchildren.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Nellie Schoonhoven of Holland, Minnesota; his daughter, Miranda Ford and her husband Brent of Redwood Falls, Minnesota; two grandchildren, Jordan and Jaycie Ford; his brother, Allen Schoonhoven and his wife Phyllis of Hospers, Iowa; his sister, Lucille Jansen and her husband Vernon of Sully, Iowa; his sister-in-law, Nesta Schoonhoven of Brookings, South Dakota; and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his son, Merlyn Jay Schoonhoven; his parents; and one brother, Henry Schoonhoven.