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.