Obituary of Phil Den Herder
A Celebration of Life Service for Philip Den Herder, age 83, of Okoboji, will be held at 11 AM, Saturday, October 14, 2023 at First Presbyterian Church in Spirit Lake. Visitation will begin at 9:30 AM until service time at the church. To view the livestream of Phil's service, please use the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Vqvwt6yxfk
Philip Dean Den Herder, born on August 2, 1940, in Sioux Center, Iowa, peacefully passed away on September 26, 2023. He was the son of Elmer and Christine (Vreeman) Den Herder.
Phil's early years were spent on a farm, where he attended to chores, milked cows, and worked the land. He attended South Dakota State University, where he obtained a degree in Ag Business and Science, setting the foundation for his future endeavors. Phil was married to Janice Klein Den Herder and they were blessed with four children, Tim, Anita, Troy and Nicole.
Phil began his career with Ralston Purina Company as a sales representative in Creston, Iowa and after moving to Sioux Center in 1967, Phil purchased a Purina dealership from his brother, Paul. After he sold the dealership, he started Nutrena Feeds. Phil expanded into cattle confinements, hog farrowing houses, and managed a housing development in Sioux Center for several years. He later established Den Herder Commodities. Phil was married to Pamela (Gross) and they created a life together in Okoboji. He began working in real estate and was a dedicated representative of Remax until his health declined.
In his spare time, Phil enjoyed golfing, sports of all kinds and raising Belgian Horses. Phil also restored wooden boats, notably his beloved Italian Riva which won many awards at boat shows in the midwest. Phil also owned a charter boat business on Lake Okoboji, The Robert C.
Phil is survived by his wife, Pam Den Herder of Okoboji, Iowa; Phil’s four children, Tim Den Herder of Okoboji, Iowa; Anita Bugg and her husband, Todd, of Milledgeville, Georgia; Troy Den Herder and his wife, Annette, of Marietta, Georgia; and Nicole Den Herder of Denver, Colorado; seven grandchildren, Chloe Den Herder, Christina Bugg, Olivia Bugg, Alexa Den Herder, Dax Den Herder, Nicolas Bauman and William Bauman; two great-grandchildren, Amara and Ozias McDaniel; two sisters, Mary Vande Berg of North Carolina and Carol Den Herder of Arizona; sister-in-law, Marlene Den Herder; several nieces, nephews and cousins. Phil is also survived by Pam’s children Ryan Dykstra and Heather (Dykstra) Joralemon and Pam’s two grandchildren Ella Joralemon and Nathan Joralemon.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Christine Den Herder, and his brothers, Jim, Roger, and Paul, Pam’s son, Heath.