Arnold Ozinga was born in Mahaska County near Peoria, Iowa on August 13, 1925. He was the third of five children that were born to William and Cornelia Nieuwsma Ozinga. Arnold attended the Peoria Christian Grade School in Peoria and grew up on his parents' farm. On February 23, 1949, he was united in marriage with Ruth Pothoven at the home of her parents, John and Golda Tysseling Pothoven. To this union five children were born; Dale Edwin, Roger Lee who died in infancy, Kathleen Joy, Maria Jean and Leanne Rae. Arnald worked as a farmhand until he and Ruth began farming his parents' farm northwest of Peoria. He enjoyed farming and for him it was a way of life until his retirement. He then found pleasure in contiuing to care for God's creation by mowing several rural cemeteries. A favorite pastime was doing woodworking in his shop on the farm. Arnold and Ruth moved into Pella, Iowa in 2008 where he continued doing woodworking. Many of his craftsmanship items were generously shared with his family members who cherish them. On Sunday morning, April 3, 2011, he passed away suddenly enroute to the Pella Regional Health Center in Pella at the age of 85 years. Arnold and Ruth were privileged to enjoy 62 years of married life together.

Surviving are his wife, Ruth; four children and their spouses, 9 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren whom he was very fond of. They and their families are: Dale and Marilou(Vande Kieft)Ozinga of Pella, Iowa; April Ozinga of Pella, Iowa; Brennan Ozinga; Datie and Travis Damon of Knoxville, Iowa; Michael Ozinga at home; Kathy and Irvin Rozenboom of Des Moines, Iowa; Michelle and David Podewell of Tinley Park, Illinois; Isabella, Joshua Podewell; Scott and Heather Rozenboom of Ankeny, Iowa; Kaylie Rozenboom; Teresa and Kyle Kinnear of Joliet, Illinois; Zachariah Kinnear; Maria Ozinga of Des Moines, Iowa; Leanne and John Hogan of Montrose, Colorado; Maria Hogan at Home; Alexander Hogan at home; Connor Hogan at home.

Arnold was the last surviving member of his original family and leaves his three sisters-in-law; Edna(Jake)Ozinga, Ila(Harold)Ozinga both of Pella, Geraldine(Melvin)Ozinga of Oskaloosa, Iowa; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Harold and Stella Pothoven of Pella, and a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Martha Faye(Pothoven)and William Vander Meyden of Oskaloosa.

Arnold was preceded in death by a son, Roger Lee Ozinga who died in 1953; his parents, William and Cornelia Ozinga; his parents-in-law, John and Golda Pothoven; his three brothers: Jacob, Harold and Melvin Ozinga; his sister, Anna Mae and her husband, Francis DeJong; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Freda Fern(Pothoven)and Arthur Bokhoven and a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Lester and Johanna Pothoven. Arnold had served on the Peoria Christian School Board and was a faithful member of the Peoria Christian Reformed Church n Peoria where he had made profession of his faith. He was truly loved by all.


Funeral Services will be held Friday, April 8, 2011 at 10:30 am Peoria Christian Reformed Church, Peoria, Iowa. Interment will follow in the Peoria Cemetery. Visitation will begin Thursday morning at Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home. where the family will be present Thursday from 5:30-7:30 pm.