Herman P. Eekhoff

Herman P. Eekhoff, 85, of Kanawha, Iowa, passed away Saturday, February 24, 2001, at the Kanawha Community Home in Kanawha.

Herman, the son of Rev. Peter H. and Marie (Johnson) Eekhoff was born June 16, 1915 on the family farm south west of Kanawha and was baptized at the Wright Christian Reformed Church on July 4, 1915.  The family moved  from the farm when Herman was 5 years old.  He attended school in Grundy Center and Dubuque and graduated from high school in Muscoda, Wisconsin in 1933.  Herman worked for various farmers in the Kanawha area until beginning his own farming operation in the Kanawha and Corwith areas in the late 1930's.

Herman was united in marriage with Elsie Mae Swyter, the love of his life, on June 23, 1938, by his father, Rev. Peter H. Eekhoff on the Swyter family farm south of Britt.  The couple made their home on a farm southwest of Kanahwa, and later moved to Corwith, before moving back to Kanawha in 1948 were Herman farmed and did carpentry work.   Following Elsie's death in 1969 Herman continued to live on the farm until 1988 when he retired and moved into Kanawha.  Even after his retirement Herman continued to help area farmers and do carpentry.

Spending special times with his family and friends was important to Herman.  He was known for his sense of humor.  He enjoyed traveling and baseball.  Herman enjoyed music very much and participated in the community choir.  He was a member of the Hancock County ASCS Board.  Herman also served as Twin Lakes Township Clerk and Trustee for over 35 years.  During this time he helped organize the Goodell and Kanawha Fire Departments.  Herman served as Clerk for the Goodell Rural Fire Department.

Herman will be remembered for the Christian example he set for his children.  His church was very important to him.  He was a long-time member of the Kanawha Christian Reformed Church where he served as a consistory member and was active on various committees.

Herman is survived by five daughters: Carol Everett and her husband, Robert of Omaha Nebraska, Donna Eggum and her husband, Jon of Albert Lea, Minnesota, Jane Olsen and her husband, Harland "Oley" of Mason City, Linda Foss and her husband, Rich of Winona, Minnesota, and Sue Schlosser and her husband, Steve of Mason City; one son Paul and his wife, Denise of Clarion; eleven grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; seven step grandchildren; eight step great-grandchildren; two sisters: Stella Neymeyer and her husband, Lester of Aplington, and Thelma Mills and her husband, Kay, of Bella Vista, Arkansas; two brothers: Rev. Wiert Eekhoff and his wife Esther, of Harper, Kansas and Peter W. Eekhoff and his wife Henrietta, of Kanawha; son-in-law, Harold "Bud" Karsjens of Aplington and brother-in-law, Gerald Swyter of Kanawha.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife in 1969, and daughter Mary Ann Karsjens in 2000.