John Van Surksum

Doon, IA: John Van Surksum, 88, of Doon, Iowa, died Saturday, June 6, 2026, at Fellowship Village in Inwood, Iowa. A funeral service will be held Thursday, June 11, at 10:00 AM at Porter Funeral Home of Rock Valley, Iowa with Rev. H. Hofman officiating. Burial with military rites will follow at Hillside Cemetery of Doon. Visitation, with the family present, will be held Wednesday, June 10, from 5:30-7:00 PM at Porter Funeral Home of Rock Valley.

   In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Fellowship Village of Inwood.

   John Van Surksum, son of John and Gertrude (Rempt) Van Surksum, was born February 2, 1938, at Rock Rapids, Iowa. John grew up on the family farm near Inwood, Iowa and after completing high school volunteered for the US Army. On June 11, 1959, John was united in marriage with Jeanette “Nettie” Vlastuin at her parents’ farm. The couple raised three daughters, Debra, Susan, and Dawn. John lost the love of his life on June 2, 2023. Today would have been their 67th wedding anniversary. He moved to Fellowship Village in Inwood, Iowa in December 2023. John was so blessed to be able to stay at Fellowship Village and often expressed what great care he was given. His room had a beautiful view of the courtyard where he spent many hours watching the birds and enjoying nature. John was a longtime member of the Netherlands Reformed Congregation of Sioux Center, Iowa.

   John volunteered for the US Army after he completed school. He often shared stories from his time in the Army and overseas in Germany. He remained a member of the American Legion until his death. John worked at the lumberyard in Doon for several years before taking a job at Kooima’s in Rock Valley as a machine operator. He worked there until his retirement in 2003. John was a volunteer fireman for many years in Doon including serving as the Fire Chief. John was a talented carpenter and handyman. He loved tinkering in the garage and fixing things around the house. John was a regular at the Corner Café for coffee during the week and enjoyed hearing the latest happenings in Doon.

   He is survived by his daughters, Susan (Steve) Hoekstra, and Dawn (Lane) Munson; grandchildren, Lance (Amy) Juffer and their daughter, Annika, Stephanie (Chad) Mulder and their children, Dylan, Gracyn, and Aubryn, Cole Hoekstra, Chance Hoekstra, Dane Munson, and Cydne Munson; sisters-in-law, Tillie Blom, Ann Vlastuin, Emma Vlastuin, and Mary Van Surksum; and brother-in-law, Elmer Vlastuin.

   Preceding John in death was his wife, Jeanette, his parents, John and Gertrude Van Surksum; daughter, Debra Van Surksum; great-grandson, Andrew Juffer; and his siblings, Bernie Van Surksum, Rich Van Surksum, Johanna Teunissen, Grace Van Veldhuizen, Bill Van Surksum, and Gary Van Surksum.