Marlene Van't Land

Inwood, IA: Marlene Harriet Van’t Land, 91, of Inwood, passed into the arms of Jesus on Saturday, August 26, 2023, at Fellowship Village in Inwood. Visitation with the family present will be held Friday, September 1, from 5:00-7:00 PM at Inwood Christian Reformed Church. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, September 2, at 1:30 PM at Inwood CRC with Pastor Steve Kooistra officiating. The service can be livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/InwoodCRC. Interment will follow at Richland Cemetery, Inwood. Porter Funeral Home of Inwood is handling the arrangements for Mrs. Van’t Land.

   In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be sent to the Inwood Christian School Foundation https://www.inwoodchristian.com/ (302 E. Madison Street, Inwood), or the Inwood American Legion Auxiliary (698 W. Jefferson Street, Inwood).

   Marlene Harriet (Kooistra) Van’t Land was born on June 10, 1932, to Martin and Jennie (Kempema) Kooistra on a farm near Hudson, SD. She joined older brothers John & Rich and was baptized at Hawarden Christian Reformed Church. The family lived on several farms in the Hudson – Hawarden area where younger brothers Willis & Harvey, along with cousin, Lloyd Kempema, joined the family. Marlene attended country schools, completing the 8th grade, and then worked for various farm families in the area. She made Profession of Faith at Hawarden CRC and was active in the Young People’s Society and attended Mission Conferences.

   In 1950 the family moved to a farm south of Inwood, IA and began attending Inwood CRC. It was there that Marlene met Alvin Van’t Land, whom she married on September 24, 1953, at Inwood CRC. The couple lived in Kansas for two months while Alvin finished his military training. When he was sent to Korea, she returned to Iowa and lived with her parents. During this time, their first child, James (Jim), was born. When Alvin was discharged from the Army, they lived and worked for a farmer by Rock Valley, IA for a few months before buying a home in Inwood. There, Alvin took a job with the Farmers’ Co-op Elevator and Inwood became their home for the rest of their lives. Robert (Rob) and Joann (Jo) were added to the family, and Marlene focused her attention on raising her children and being an active member of Inwood CRC. She attended night classes to obtain her GED.

   Marlene was a devoted Christian, committing much time to prayer and the study of Scripture. She loved serving others by sharing gifts of food, sending encouraging notes, and engaging in conversations. She also enjoyed playing piano and singing. Marlene volunteered at the Beloit Sunday School mission in the early 1950’s where she played the piano for the song time and taught the younger children. At Inwood CRC, she was a Sunday School teacher and a member of various Inwood CRC ladies’ aid groups, often playing the piano for their meetings. Marlene enjoyed singing with the church choir and attending adult Bible Study groups. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for many years. Marlene and Alvin enjoyed traveling and spending time with extended family and friends.

   Left to cherish her memory are her 3 children, 10 grandchildren, and 27 great- grandchildren: son, Jim & Holly Van’t Land of Larkspur, CO, and their children, Susie (Jeff) Guille, Alan (Michelle) Van’t Land, John (Jenny) Van’t Land, and Laura (Eric) Olson; son, Rob & Bonnie Van’t Land of Hull, IA, and their children, Drew (Julianne) Van’t Land, J.C. (Ellie) Van’t Land, and Gabe (Kayla) Van’t Land; daughter, Jo & Roger Boon of Hull, IA, and their children, Nichole (Jared) Blankespoor, Rhonda (Zach) Van Wyhe, and Randy (Brittany) Boon; Marlene is also survived by her brother, Harvey & Florence Kooistra of Grandville, MI; in-laws: Arlene Kooistra of Hills, MN, Marcene Kempema of Greeley, CO, Cliff & Arlene Vande Vegte of Escondido, CA, Ray & Elaine Van’t Land of Jenison, MI, Ed & Mary Blankespoor of Rock Valley, IA, and Marv & Judy Van’t Land of Escondido, CA; and numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins.

   Marlene was preceded in death by Alvin, her husband of nearly 67 years; parents, Martin and Jennie Kooistra; parents-in-law, John & Jo Van’t Land; brothers, John, Rich (Fonda), Willis (Ella Mae), and Lloyd; and Van’t Land brothers-in-law, Ted (Irene) and Jake (Carol).