Fred Ymker

Rock Valley, IA: Fred Ymker, 77, of Rock Valley, Iowa, died suddenly of an apparent heart attack on Thursday, June 16, 2016 at Hegg Memorial Health Center of Rock Valley. Funeral service will be Monday, June 20, at 10:30 a.m. at First Reformed Church of Rock Valley with Rev. Harlan De Jong officiating. Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery. Visitation, with the family present, will be Sunday, June 19, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at Porter Funeral Home of Rock Valley.

Alfred John Ymker, son of Lambert and Hattie (Bos) Ymker, was born June 16, 1939 in Fairview, South Dakota. Fred proudly served his country from 1962-1964 as a member of the United States Army during the Vietnam War. After the war, Fred was united in marriage with Lucy Van Olst at the First Reformed Church of Rock Valley, Iowa on May 26, 1965. Together the couple made their home in Rock Valley and Fred served the community and surrounding area as an electrician. In 1981, Fred and Lucy went “home” to Fairview and the couple built a home in the Fairview valley. In addition to keeping his full time electrical practice, Fred and Lucy hobby farmed and raised calves, cows, and later some hogs. The couple later returned to live in Rock Valley. Fred served Rock Valley as a member of the fire department for several years and was a member of the Rock Valley First Reformed Church. During his retirement years, Fred and Lucy wintered in Arizona for 12 years. Fred enjoyed fishing, camping, pets and his morning coffee at CO-OP with the guys. Fred loved his children and grandchildren; they meant the world to him.

Fred is survived by his wife of 51 years, Lucy Ymker; children, Lucinda (Gary) Williams of La Grange, Kentucky; Sonja (Dave) Bliek of Rock Valley; and Fred (Michelle) Ymker, Jr. of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; eleven grandchildren; two sisters, Bertha Van De Vendel and Minnie Wallenburg, both of Rock Valley; and sister-in-law, Bernice Ymker of Sioux Falls.

He was preceded in death by his parents; infant brother, Alfred John; brothers, John and Elmer Ymker; brothers-in-law, Rich Wallenburg and Cornie Van De Vendel and sister-in-law, Joanne Ymker.

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