Everett Van Kooten

Funeral services for Everett Van Kooten, 87, of Callender, Iowa, who died January 10, 2000, were held January 13 at the First Reformed Church in Pella with Rev. Harvey Brink officiating, Mr. Ivan Mulder, soloist, provided the music.

Intermentwas in Sully Cemetery in Sully with military honors by Van Veen-Van Hemert American Legion Post No. 89 of Pella.

Everett Van Kooten, son of Henry and Cornelia Schut Van Kooten was born July 3, 1912 in Mahaska County near Oskalossa. He was the thirteenth of seventeen children and the first born in the United States, his older brothers and sisters being born in the Netherlands. He graduated from Lynnville High Schoolin 1935 and received hid BA from Central College in 1939. He attended the Universityof Iowaand served in the U.S. Armyfrom 1942 through 1946. He then attendedDrak University receiving his Superintendent of Schools Professional Certificate. He taught high school in Keota and Elliott, Iowa and was Superintendent in Elliott and Schleswig, Iowa.

In 1949 he married Artie Van Zee at Pella and they had four children. Everett became a representative for Lyons and Carnahan, selling text books from 1954-1968. He returned to school administration in 1968, serving as Elementary and Junior High Principalin the schools in West Bend, Webb and United Community schools near Boone.

He finished his professional career in Fort Dodge in 1983 where he was the had of the Indenpent Learning Center at North Junior High School. Everett retired in Callender where he lived until October 1996, moving to the Gowrie Care Center where he lived until his death.

Surving are his three children and thier spouses. Three step-grandchildren and three step-great-grandchildren. Of his original family he leaves four sisters and one brother: Henrietta and husband Dick Rolffs of Pella, Mrs. Cora (John) Bruxvoort of Oskaloosa, Mrs. Nellie (Henry) Terpstraof Pella, Mrs. Pauline (George) Terpstra of Pella, and Albert Van Kooten of Oskaloosa; three sisters-in-law: Durky (Gerrit) Van Kooten and Lucile (Paul) Van Kooten both of Denver, Colorado, and Jennie(Pete) Van Kooten of Oskaloosa.

Preceding him in death was an infant daughter in 1952, his parents, four sisters: Mrs. Tillie (Dick) Van Klaveren, Mrs. Hattie (John) Van Arkel, Mrs. Dena (Jake) Van Kampen, Mrs. Cornelia (Henry) Van Steenwyk; and sic brothers: Henry, Cornelius, Peter, Gerrit, Roy and Paul; and one brother who died infancy in the Netherlands.

Everett was a member of the First Reformed Church of Pella. He was also a member of the Disabled Veteran's Organization. His dogs Benjy and Herky were a significant part of his life. He appreciated music and found pleasure in gardening and raising flowers.

Memorials may be given to the "Back to God Hour" a Christian radio ministry broadcast.
Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home of Pella was in charge of arrrangements.


Obituary was found at the Pella Library Pella, IA

Everett's plaque is on the back of his parents stone.