Jacob "Jake" Van Voorst

Rock Rapids, IA: Jacob “Jake” Van Voorst, 93, of Rock Rapids, Iowa, formerly Lester, Iowa, died Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at Fellowship Village of Inwood. A funeral service will be held Saturday, December 27, at 10:00 AM at Porter Funeral Home of Rock Valley with Rev. J.J. Witvoet officiating. The service can be audio-streamed at https://www.porterfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/jacob-jake-van-voorst. Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery of Rock Valley. Visitation with the family present will be held Friday, December 26 from 4:30-6:00 PM at Porter Funeral Home.

   In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials which may be directed to Fellowship Village of Inwood or Avera@Home Hospice – Rock Rapids.

   Jacob “Jake” Van Voorst, son of Jacob and Jennie (Maassen) Van Voorst, was born March 5, 1932, in rural Sioux County, Iowa. Jake grew up on the family farm and went to school through the 8th grade. On July 15, 1953, Jake was inducted into the United States Army, and he proudly served his country during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged on June 8, 1955.

   On July 7, 1958, Jake was united in marriage with Hilda Roskam at Rock Valley, Iowa. The couple made their home in Lester, Iowa. Jake worked as an electrician for Phil Mogler. Aspiring to own his own business, Jake bought out Phil’s electrical business and began Jake’s Electric. He was a dedicated electrician and enjoyed the many customers he served over the years.

   In addition to his electrical work, Jake also enjoyed installing lawns and sprinkler systems. He was a jack of all trades. He also found joy in his hobbies. Jake built and flew model airplanes and built and drove model speedboats. He was also a woodworker, which many family members were the beneficiaries of. From making toys to necklace holders, firetrucks, and beyond, he was very talented. He never really retired as he stayed busy until turning 90 years old. In 2022, Jake and Hilda moved to Rock Rapids, Iowa and in March 2025 Jake moved to Fellowship Village in Inwood, Iowa.

   Jake is survived by his wife of 67 years, Hilda Van Voorst of Rock Rapids; 5 children, Julie (Craig) De Ruyter of Rock Rapids, Sheryl (Scott) Moret of Gilbert, Arizona, Lisa (Doug) Faber of Inwood, Wanda (Elwyn) Hoogendoorn of George, Iowa, and Jacob “Jay” (Stacy) Van Voorst of Canton, South Dakota; 14 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; sister, Jeanette (Marv) Van Beek of Rock Valley; and sister-in-law, Rena Van Voorst of Sioux Center, Iowa.

   He was preceded in death by his parents, Jacob and Jennie Van Voorst; grandson, Lucas Faber; and 2 brothers, John and Raymond Van Voorst.