Haijo Kiel

Funeral service for Haijo Kiel, age 81, of Milaca, will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2013 at 11 AM at the Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Princeton with Rev. Calvin Friend officiating. Visitation will be from 5 – 8 PM on Friday at the Bethel Christian Reformed Church and one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Memorials are preferred to the Pease Christian School, the Gideons or Bethel Christian Reformed Church. Military honors will be provided by the Princeton Honor Guard. Casketbearers will include Jeff Kragt, Kyle DeVries, Henry Smith, Haijo Kiel, Jesse Kiel, Tim Kiel and Tom Kiel. Music will be provided by Karen Schreur and Haijo’s grandchildren. Haijo Kiel was born June 29, 1931 near Pease, MN, the son of Haijo and Cora (Rensenbrink) Kiel. He grew up and attended school in Pease. Haijo served in the US Army from 1953 to 1955 during the Korean War. He was united in marriage to Hermina Terpstra on June 17, 1955. He started Bock Sales in the early 1960’s. The business was destroyed in a fire on April 23, 1969. Haijo rebuilt his business and opened Country Sales Furniture in 1970. He owned and operated the business until 1983. Haijo was active in the community, serving on the Pease Christian School Board and as an elder at Bethel Christian Reformed Church. He enjoyed woodworking and fishing. He passed away on Tuesday, April 23, 2013. He is survived by his wife, Hermina; children, Julie (Paul) Smith of Cedarville, MI, Carl (Sandy) Kiel of Jenison, MI, Sharry (Brian) Kragt of Portland, OR and Diane (Brian) DeVries of Martin, MI; 15 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren and 2 on the way; brother, Laurence Kiel of Milaca; sister-in-law, Jennie Kiel of Milaca; also by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Pete and Henry; and sister, Henrietta Schreur.