ALBERT DE HAAN
September 19, 1922 - August 27, 2012
Al De Haan was the second child of Dutch immigrants. He grew up on a farm N.W. of Orange City later moving into town. He attended both country school and later graduated from Orange City Public School. Although many farm boys did not have the opportunity to attend High School, Al’s parents offered him that opportunity. Al excelled at math while in High School. Al related to family members that he was in church on Sunday, December 7th, 1941, when he heard that Pearl Harbor had been attacked. That event spurred many of the area young men to want to serve, Al included. After induction Al was assigned to the 8th Armored Division. Shortly thereafter, Al was given an honorable hardship discharge after his father was involved in a farm accident. However, Al wanted to serve and on December 19th he enlisted in the US Navy. After initial training in Idaho, Al was transferred to Treasure Island, California for advanced gunnery training. Al was assigned to an LCI rocket boat. These boats transferred the Marines to Pacific Island campaigns. These boats played an integral role in winning the Island war in the Pacific. Al was able to be near the USS Missouri during the surrender ceremony in Tokyo Bay. After discharge Al worked for a short time at Silent Sioux Corporation and Kraai Furniture. Al then decided to embrace the American dream of owning his own business, Al’s Floor Covering, which he operated until his retirement in 1987. In retirement Al and his wife Jennie modeled their Christian faith by helping the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee for 15 years. Al also worked with Justice for All and Habitat for Humanity. Al was able to go on a Midwest Honor Flight to honor his comrades at the WWII Memorial as well as the Navy Memorial and others in the Nation’s Capital. Al was not shy about acknowledging his faith in Jesus, He would often say “Enjoy life. Be thankful for every day. As you get older every day is a blessing.”
PETER NOTEBOOM
October 18, 1926 - November 13, 2005
Peter Ira Noteboom served honorably in the US Navy from 1944 until he was discharged in 1946. He served aboard the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. During that time he attained the rank of Machinist Mate 3rd class specializing in refrigeration mechanics. The Roosevelt was a Mid-Way Class Air Craft Carrier originally named the Coral Sea. She was commissioned on Navy Day 27 October 1945. Her crew gave her the affectionate name the “Swanky Franky” or “Foo De Roo” or “Rosie”. On her maiden voyage she made a port call in Rio de Janeiro for the inauguration of the new President Eurico Gaspare Dehara. After his discharge he embraced the American dream and became an entrepreneur in many various endeavors. Through the years he operated numerous local gas stations. One of his more successful business was in the 1950 and 1960 where he sold pigeons across the United States. This business helped many young people in the community earn money by selling the “Pigeon King” their pigeons. At one time Pete helped sustain the American Bison by keeping and caring for a herd east of Orange City. Additionally he was a member of many varied boards focused on Christian educational endeavors. Pete was a fifty year member of the Pressman Kosters American Legion Post. Pete and his wife Leona raised 3 children on their property on the east edge of Orange City.
EDWARD "ED" DELEEUW
My name is Edward (Ed) DeLeeuw, I was born in Orange City, Iowa on May 16, 1948. I was raised on a farm North of Orange City, (near Middleburg, Iowa). I egan my education in the Hull Christian School and Western Christian High School, graduating in 1966. It was while I was in high school that I enlisted in the Air National Guard in Sioux City, Iowa. I left for basic training on August 8, 1966. Unfortunately, I did not realize how hot it would be in San Antonio, Texas in August and September. After completing Basic Training, I was transferred to Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas. It was there that I received my training in Refrigeration School. I returned home in February of 1967. In January 1968, I was called up for active duty because the North Koreans had captured the USS Pueblo. I served in Korea during 1968 and 1969. While on Osan Air Base, I worked in the Electrical Shop and the Planning and Estimating office. After my return to northwest Iowa, I worked for a few years for De Haan Electric and then enrolled in Northwestern College. I graduated with a degree in Physics and Mathematics in 1976. While in college, I established Ed's Wiring Service which I operated until 2010. On December 31, 19751 was married to Nancy Draayer. We had four children (Anna, Maria, Nicholas and Deidra) and raised them on an acreage on the north edge of Orange City. In 2010, Nancy and I established the Deleeuw SignShop. Nancy and I are still living and operating our business on the acreage today. Part of our business is printing the "Orange City Home Town Hero" banners that the American Legion is promoting.
DR. STANLEY VANDER AARDE
September 26, 1931 - November 19, 2016
Dr. Stanley Vander Aarde was called to serve his country in Jan. 1959 after he had completed his Medical School degree. He was trained at the Gunter Air Force Base in Georgia where he learned about the US Air Force, Medical Corps, and military decorum. He became Captain S.B. Vander Aarde A.O. He was sent to the 343rd USAF Dispensary in Duluth, MN, where he was the General Medical Officer. He was very active with the base chapel program working closely with the base chaplain. Captain Vander Aarde served several temporary duties which included Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida to care for pilots and staff who were in Missile training and Fort Custis in Battle Creek, MI where the Airforce, Army and Navy were developing hover-craft vehicles. Next, he was sent to O’Hare Field in Chicago to hold sick call, and to pack up the Dispensary as the base was being handed over to the city of Chicago for their new civilian airport. Captain Vander Aarde became commander of the Dispensary in Duluth during which time he was sent to attend Nuclear Weapons School in Montgomery, AL. Dr. Vander Aarde was discharged in January 1961. He and his family then attended Missionary Orientation in Stoney Point, NY. They served as Missionaries in Madanapalle, India, for 26 years. After leaving India, Stanley worked as an ENT Surgeon at the Willmar Medical Clinic in Minnesota. He retired and returned to his hometown of Orange City, IA in 1994. Darlene and Stanley have been blessed with five children: Paul, David, Leon (deceased), Debra Scott, Mary Kenobbie, nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
ARLYN KLEINWOLTERINK
March 23, 1942 - October 29, 2022
Arlyn Kleinwolterink enlisted in the 185th Air National Guard in Sioux City in 1963. In the winter of 1963-64, he attended basic training in Lackland, Texas. He went to jet engine mechanic school in Amarillo, Texas. In 1968, he was called into active duty and served from May 1968-May 1969 at Phu Cat AFB in Vietnam as a jet engine mechanic. Arlyn was an active participant and supporter of the local American Legion for 50 years. He served as Adjutant for 30 years and as Post Commander for 16 years. He chaired the committee to build the Veterans Memorial in Orange City which was completed in 2006. He was also instrumental in establishing the American Legion float for Tulip Festival. Arlyn also spearheaded the project of updating the memorial markers in the Orange City cemetery where flags are placed for Memorial Day for the veterans. This is an ongoing project, as veterans pass away they are all given a marker. They also take care of markers in Maurice, Newkirk, and Middleburg. After his military service, Arlyn returned to farming. He and his wife Verdell had two daughters, Lisa Dykstra and Kim Oolman and two grandchildren, Breanna and Austin Oolman. After retiring to Orange City, Arlyn served as a Sioux County Supervisor for 12 years. He also drove truck as a hobby.