Jake Teunissen

Rock Valley, IA: Jake Teunissen, 88, of Rock Valley, Iowa, died Wednesday, December 2, 2020, at Whispering Heights in Rock Valley. Funeral services will be held Monday, December 7, at 10:00 AM at First Christian Reformed Church of Rock Valley with Rev. Matthew Haan officiating. The service can be watched on Premier Communications channel 76 or livestreamed at https://www.christianworldmedia.com/livechannel/firstcrcrv. Masks are encouraged for the service. Burial with military rites will follow at Valley View Cemetery of Rock Valley. Public visitation, with no family present, will be held Sunday, December 6, from 2:00-6:00 PM at Porter Funeral Home of Rock Valley. Memorials may be given to Rock Valley Christian School.

   Jake Teunissen, son of Jake and Wilhelmina (Wittebrood) Teunissen, was born April 4, 1932, near Doon, Iowa. Jake graduated from Doon High School. He was inducted into the United States Army and proudly served his country from October 16, 1952 – September 24, 1954. He was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri and England. Following his honorable discharge from the Army, Jake was united in marriage with Florence Terpstra on November 19, 1954, at the First Christian Reformed Church in Rock Valley, Iowa. To this union, four children were born; Janice, Joyce, LaVonne, and Jay. Following a battle with cancer, Florence passed away on December 9, 1973. Jake would find love again when he married Margaret (Vis) Van Otterloo on July 11, 1975, at Jake’s farm. In addition to Margaret, Jake welcomed Margaret’s two sons to the family; Bill and Steve Van Otterloo.

   Jake always had a love for farming. He enjoyed raising cattle and after retiring in 1993 and moving to Rock Valley, Jake would still travel out to the farm every day to check on the farm and cattle. Jake loved heading to the stockyards even if just to socialize with other farmers. Jake also enjoyed fishing and attending gospel sings. Jake was a member of the Rock Valley First Christian Reformed Church where he served as a deacon. He also served as a school board member for the Rock Valley Christian School.

   Jake is survived by his children, Janice (Loy B.) Van’t Hul, Joyce (Steve) Richter, Jay (Anita) Teunissen, stepsons Bill (Nancy) Van Otterloo, and Steve (Wanda) Van Otterloo; son-in-law, Mark Bakker; 20 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law, Peter Terpstra and John Vis; and sisters-in-law, Agnus Harmelink, Grace Teunissen, Betty Teunissen, and Cornelia Vander Molen.

   He was preceded in death by his parents, Jake and Wilhelmina; wives, Florence and Margaret; daughter, LaVonne Bakker; grandsons, Kristopher Richter and Dustin Bakker; sister Reynolla DeGraaff; and brothers, Corney and Gilbert Teunissen.