Richard Koets

RICHARD KOETS was born to Adriaan Ed and Jesse (Hiemstra) Koets on February 10, 1917 in Elmer Township, Minnesota. In his earlier years, he moved with his family to several farms in the Edgerton area. He attended country school. In his teens, he moved with his family to several farms in the Pipestone area. On November 4, 1938, he was united in marriage to Alice Youngsma in Lemars, Iowa. Following their marriage, they farmed in Fountain Prairie Township near Ruthton, Minnesota. In 1943, they moved to a farm in southern Fountain Praire Township. Alice preceded him in death on December 21, 1960. After her death, he continued to farm until 1965. During this time, he began selling John Deere farm equipment in 1962 for DeVries Implement. He was united in marriage to Betty Prinsen on November 29, 1974. Following their marriage, they made their home in Pipestone, Minnesota. After his retirement in 1984, he began working part-time at Schulze Florist delivering flowers. On October 10, 2000, Betty preceded him in death. In September, 2009, Richard moved into Ridgeview Estates where he currently resided. On Sunday, May 29, 2011, he suffered a heart attack and was taken to Pipestone County Medical Center in Pipestone. He died there on Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at the age of 94 years, three months and 21 days.

Richard is a member of First Lutheran Church in Pipestone where he had served as a deacon and church usher. He was baptized in March, 1917 at the Christian Reformed Church in Edgerton and made his profession of faith in October, 1938 at the Christian Reformed Church in Pipestone. He was a member of the Quarry Lodge No. 148 AF & AM, El Riad Shriner’s and Lion’s Club. He enjoyed being active in the Southwest Single’s Club. Richard was a good friend to many people and was always willing to help them. He enjoyed visiting with his family and friends and his morning coffee at Lange’s. He liked to read the newspapers, as well as read the Bible every day.

He is lovingly remembered by his two children, Judith Zwart of Edgerton, Minnesota and Myron and his wife Nancy Koets of Pipestone, Minnesota; his daughter-in-law, Pat Koets of Garretson, South Dakota; three step-children, Sharon and her husband Ken Young of Freemont, California, Robert and his wife Rose Prinsen of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Kathy and her husband Del Strehle of Rushmore, Minnesota; eight grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; seven step-grandchildren; 13 step-great-grandchildren; one sister, Gladys Jackson of Midland, Texas; and special friend, “brother” George Schulze of Pipestone, Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his wife, Alice; his second wife, Betty; one son, Eldon; an infant daughter, Alice; his parents; son-in-law, Duane Zwart; and two sisters, Marie VanHove and Edna Blom.