Don Van Steenwyk

Services for Don Van Steenwyk, 65, of Milford, Iowa will be held on Wednesday, January 11, 2017 at Hope Reformed Church in Spencer at 11:00 a.m. There will be a visitation on Tuesday, January 10, 2017 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Milford. Donald (Don) Wayne Van Steenwyk, the son of Etta (Huisman) and Donald Van Steenwyk, was born April 24, 1951 in Orange City, Iowa. After graduating from Maurice-Orange City High School in 1969, Don graduated from Westmar College in Le Mars in 1973. On June 9, 1972, Don was united in marriage to JoLynn (Van Der Zwaag) in Middleburg, Iowa. Don taught Jr. High and High School Industrial Arts for Floyd Valley and MOC, and taught the carpentry program at Ellsworth Community College. During his teaching days, he also enjoyed coaching football and boys basketball. Don owned a construction company early in his career, and later worked for Iowa Select Farms, Citation Homes, and Rising Star Wholesale. Don had lived in various places including Orange City, Iowa, Iowa Falls, Iowa and Ankeny, Iowa before moving to Milford, Iowa. Don was known for his sense of humor and quick wit. He never missed an opportunity to make others laugh with a one-liner or fun-loving pranks. He was hard-working, honest, and enjoyed the simple things in life. Don was a man of integrity and incredible faith, and served in various church positions over the years. He was a great conversationalist and strangers were quickly converted to friends. Don always enjoyed football - playing, watching, and coaching. He also loved slow-pitch softball and anything that fell into the thrill-seeking category. Don was a skilled carpenter and built seven different homes for his family. In later days, Don enjoyed boating at Lake Okoboji, golfing, and dinner with friends. Most of all, Don enjoyed relationships. He was a loving husband, a great dad, and an extraordinary grandpa. He was a beloved brother and brother-in-law and a super fun uncle. Don was blessed with many loyal friends throughout his life. Everyone who knew him has a memorable and funny story to share! Don entered his heavenly home on January 7, 2017 after courageously living with lung cancer for the past 2 1/2 years. He passed away peacefully at home at 65 years of age. He is survived by his wife, JoLynn Van Steenwyk; daughter, Shahna (Adam) Janssen of West Des Moines, Iowa; daughter, Tara (Nathan) Odegard of Lakeville, Minnesota; grandchildren, Levi and Ella Janssen, Vesper, Savia, Declyn, and Tayla Odegard; siblings, Karen (Jim) Bolluyt of Ames, Iowa, Judy (Kent) Eknes of Rock Valley, Iowa, Bob (Sharon) Vander Schaaf of Sioux City, Iowa, Doug (Kris) Van Steenwyk of Brainerd, Minnesota, Tammy Vermeer of Reading, Pennsylvania and Dave (Laura) Van Steenwyk of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; in-laws, Jurleen (Harlan) Koele of The Villages, Florida, Sharon (Jim) Berkenpas of Sioux Center, Iowa and Fran (Leon) Mouw of Boyden, Iowa; twenty-five nieces and nephews and many aunts and uncles. Don was preceded in death by his father, Willard Van Steenwyk; mother, Etta Van Steenwyk; sister, Bonnie Vander Schaaf; mother and father-in-law, Elmer and Sal Van Der Zwaag.