William John De Kruif

W illiam J . D e K ruif, 77, of Chandler, MN, died on Saturday, December 27, 2014 at the Pipestone Medical Center in Pipestone, MN.  Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, December 31, at the Chandler Reformed Church in Chandler, MN.  Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 30, from 5:00 - 8:00 at the Chandler Reformed Church, and from 9:00 - 9:30 AM on Wednesday.   Burial will be at the Chandler Memorial Cemetery at 9:30 AM on Wednesday.   In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be given to Talking Bibles International.

William “Bill” John De Kruif was born on November 9, 1937 to Peter and Jennie (Van Ruler) De Kruif in Murray County, MN.  He attended Chandler Public School and graduated in 1955.  He made profession of his faith in Jesus Christ at the Chandler Reformed Church and faithfully served Him throughout his life, including teaching Sunday School for many years.

Bill enlisted in the U.S. Army in January 1958 and was honorably discharged in January 1960.  He was united in marriage to JoAnn Beverly Groen on December 11, 1958 in Leota, MN.  They made their first home in San Antonio, TX.  Following his discharge they returned to Minnesota and settled on a farm four miles northeast of Chandler.  Through the years he was active in dairy, grain and cattle farming.  Bill and JoAnn enjoyed many years of traveling together.

In January, 2004, they retired and moved into Chandler.  He spent several years employed part-time with Pipestone Livestock Auction Market.  Through the years he was a willing and active volunteer and also served on the boards of the Chandler Reformed Church, Chandler Christian Elementary School, AMPI, Leeds Township, and was presently serving on the Chandler City Council and the Chandler Funeral Association.

Bill was received into the arms of his Savior, Jesus Christ, on December 27, 2014 at the Pipestone Medical Center reaching the age of 77 years, 1 month and 18 days.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife of 56 years, JoAnn, six children and nine grandchildren:  Lila (Dale) Sietstra, Sheldon, IA and their daughters,  Erin, Adri and Alex; Lisa De Kruif, Columbia, SC; Lori De Kruif, Chatsworth, CA; Willis (Kay) De Kruif, Rosemount, MN and their daughters, Christina (Mark) Mense and Emma De Kruif; Wendal (Michelle) De Kruif, Woodbury, MN and children, Kyle and Cameron; Wesley (Kyome) De Kruif, Farmington, MN and their sons,  Myer and Reid; brothers Harvey (Donna) De Kruif and Gerald De Kruif both of Chandler,  MN; brother-in-law, Harold De Kam, Edgerton, MN; and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant daughter, Wanda Jo, sister and brother-in-law, Jeanette (Peter) Reitsma, sister, Martha De Kam and sister-in-law, Fonda De Kruif.