John Van Middendorp

Rock Rapids, IA

John Van Middendorp, age 90 of Rock Rapids, IA died June 1, 2026, at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.

A visitation will be held Thursday, June 4th, from 4:00 to 8:00, with the family present 6:00 to 8:00 PM, at the Christian Reformed Church of Rock Rapids.

Family and friends may gather at Hillside Cemetery in Doon at 9:30 AM, Friday, June 5th prior to the memorial service, with Pastor Al Richardson officiating.

A memorial service will be at 11:00 AM, Friday, June 5th at the Christian Reformed Church of Rock Rapids, IA, with Rev. Dr. Cliff Hoekstra officiating.

In Lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Van Middendorp family for later designation.

John Van Middendorp was born October 3, 1935, near Doon, IA, the son of Neal and Gertie (De Boer) Van Middendorp. He was raised on a family farm and attended country school. John was the oldest of five children and helped with the day-to-day operation and worked for Gerrit Kooiker for 7 years. John also served in the Iowa National Guard from 1958 to 1963.

John was united in marriage to Leora Bonnema on March 10, 1961. They made their home on a farm between Doon and Rock Rapids, a half mile from where he grew up. John and Leora were blessed with 5 children. John raised crops, cows, and pigs. He was a member of Christian Reformed Church in Rock Rapids, active as Deacon and head usher. He also served on the Doon Christian School Board for several years. Later in life he enjoyed assembling 1000-piece puzzles with Farmall Tractor Themes.

He will be remembered as a quiet man, who loved his farming lifestyle.

John is survived by his wife of 65 years, Leora Van Middendorp of Rock Rapids, IA; five children, Loren (Sandi) Van Middendorp of Manhatten, MT, Cindy Davelaar of Maurice, IA, Arlo (Kristin) Van Middendorp of Alvord, IA, Loann (Dave) Aardema of Rock Valley, IA and Carmen Van Middendorp of Sioux Falls, SD; eleven grandchildren, Zane, Keeley and Kyle Van Middendorp, Jordan Abraham, Cody Davelaar, Tanner, Tyler and Trevor Van Middendorp, Neal and Ben Aardema and Hannah Warntjes; seventeen great-grandchildren; two sisters, Harriet (Ken) Postma and Janice (Arnie) Post; two brothers, Vern (Evonne) Van Middendorp and Ed Van Middendorp; sisters-in-law, Marlene Broek, Cheryl Frost, Joyce Williams and Lea Ann Bonnema; one brother-in-law, Gervin (Helen) Bonnema; and many nieces, nephews and other extended family.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Neal and Gertie Van Middendorp; parents-in-law, Melvin and Gertie Bonnema; son-in-law, Brent Davelaar; three brothers-in-law, Duane Bonnema, Gary Frost and Jay Broek.