Elmer Kanengieter ’58

Elmer Kanengieter, age 86 of Little Rock, IA died Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at Sibley Specialty Care Center in Sibley, IA.

Elmer H. Kanengieter was born July 16, 1929 on the family farm southwest of Little Rock, Iowa, the son of Andrew and Grace (Dreesen) Kanengieter. He attended country school and helped with the daily farming. He continued his education at Northwestern College in Orange City, IA and received a two year degree. He was united in marriage to Barbara Jean Cripe on October 31, 1951 at First Reformed Church in Sibley, IA. They lived various places such as Orange City, IA, Minneapolis, MN and Holland, MI, before settling down in Little Rock, IA. He farmed and later worked for Lyon County Engineer & Road Department and retired in 1992.

He was a member of Salem Reformed Church in Little Rock. He enjoyed tinkering with old cars and motorcycles, especially Studebaker cars. He enjoyed rides in the country with Barbara, family vacations to Yellowstone and the Black Hills and family gatherings where five generations were present. On July 2, 2010, Elmer’s wife Barbara died, after nearly 59 years of marriage. On April 1, 2015 Elmer entered Sibley Specialty Care in Sibley, IA, where he remained until this past Wednesday. He will be remembered as soft spoken, easy going man, who enjoyed visiting with people.

Elmer is survived by five children, Debra (Gaylen) Terhark of Little Rock, IA, Paula (Kurt) Reichert of Lodi, WI, Jay Kanengieter of Little Rock, IA, Alan (Stephanie) Kanengieter of Little Rock, IA and Kelle Koenig of Phoenix, AZ; one daughter-in-law, Julie Kanengieter of Sioux Falls, SD; twelve grandchildren, Jason (Kim) Terhark, Jill (Wade) Netten, both of Little Rock, IA, Brian Boe of Sioux Falls, SD, Dustin (Megan) Thompson of Minneapolis, MN, Chris (Rachel) Kanengieter of Hills, MN, Patti Ubbinga of George, IA, Sharon (Ken) Fuller of Little Rock, IA, Levi Ringquist (fiancé, Kaela Kruger) of Rock Rapids, IA and Logan Ringquist (fiancé, Katie DeKam) of Little Rock, IA; and many nieces, nephews and other extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Grace Kanengieter; wife Barbara Kanengieter; two sons, Phillip and David Kanengieter; one brother, Delbert Kanengieter; and five sisters, Mattie Harms, Helen Dammer, Janet Hietbrink, Dena Kruse and Luella Jager.

Return to Current In Memoriam