ROBERT A. STREFF
December 21, 1917 - January 6, 1990
Robert (Bob) A. Streff was born to immigrants from Luxembourg on a family farm near Alton in Southeast Sioux County, Iowa, and raised on farms in Nassau and East Orange townships. He was from a family of 7 boys and 3 girls. In April of 1941 he was drafted and inducted into the US Army, well before the Pearl Harbor attack. He left for the European-African War Theater in February 1942 and returned to the U.S. in June of 1944 after spending 2 years and 4 months in the combat zones of North Africa, the Mediterranean, and Italy. Bob served with the Fifth Army, 3rd Infantry Division, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion, Company F. The 3rd Division was known as the “Rock of the Marne” for the defense of Paris in WWI at the Marne River. The 3rd Division served for 531 consecutive days of combat in WWII in 10 campaigns across Northern Africa, and Southern and Central Europe, and was the only division in the U.S. Army during World War II that fought the Axis powers on all the European fronts and was among the first American combat units to engage in offensive ground combat operations. Bob Streff served in 4 named campaigns: Tunisia (5 months), Sicily (1 months), Naples-Foggia (4 months) and Rome-Arno (8 months). On Mar 2, 1944, during the Rome-Arno campaign Sgt. Streff performed an act of heroism for which he was awarded the Silver Star: when the telephone lines were cut from his mortar observation post, he moved to an exposed observation position to direct his team’s mortar fire, and his directed mortar fire silenced a enemy machine crew 800 yards away, and then hit on an enemy ammo dump 800 yards away and set it ablaze. Enemy artillery fire was returned onto the mortar crew’s position, regrettably wounding one of his crew. Bob’s list of medals and awards is quite impressive: A Silver Star for valor as detailed, A Combat Infantryman’s Badge (CIB) for serving as an infantry man in combat, A Bronze Star for valor was awarded in 1947 for all CIBs awarded in WWII, A Presidential Unit Citation for the Sicily campaign for the 2nd Battalion, A Good Conduct medal, An American Defense medal for pre-December 7, 1941 service, A European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 4 campaign stars, A World War II Victory Medal, And, of course, the Ruptured Duck for all discharged service personnel that allowed them to wear their uniforms after their discharge date, By June of 1944, Bob had earned enough “points” for total time in service, time overseas, number of combat campaigns, and his Silver Star that he was rotated back to the U.S., and he finished his military service as an M.P. in Virginia, After his discharge, Bob Streff married Phyllis Calsbeek in St. Mary’s church in Alton, Iowa. They were blessed with 9 children, 3 girls and 6 boys. In the early 1950s, they rented a farm south of Carnes just south of the bridge over the Floyd River. In 1956 they purchased a farm near Sauk Center, Minnesota, just north of Willmar where Bob ran a diary. Bob died at the age of 72 in Sauk Center.
WILLARD E. VAN DER MAATEN
August 18, 1925 - May 12, 1945
Willard Eugene Van Der Maaten was born on a farm north of Alton, August 18, 1925. He was baptized in infancy and publicly confessed his faith on January 3, 1943. Willard assisted his father on the farm until January 1943, when he enlisted in the Marine Corps. Having been rejected by the Marines, he stayed on the farm until December 1943, when he was inducted into the army at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, and assigned to the Air Forces. He had training at Amarillo and Laredo, Texas, where he graduated from gunnery school and got his Aerial Gunners wings. He was also stationed at Lincoln, Nebraska, Tucson, Arizona, Topeka, Kansas, and Langley Field, Virginia, receiving during this time two 7-day furloughs. On January 2, 1945, he flew from March Field, New York to the India-Burma-China theatre of war. On May 13, 1945, S/Sgt. Van Der Maaten was reported missing in action and on January 10, 1946, he was officially declared killed in action in an airplane crash near Kuangwu, China, Honan Province on the date he was previously reported missing in action. At the time of his death, Willard had reached the age of 19 years, 8 months, and 24 days. Surviving are his parents, Mr. and Mirs. Andrew Van Der Maaten, of Orange City; one brother, Frank, of Maurice; and two sisters, (Hendrine) Mrs. Norman Brink, of Alton, and Lois, at home.
RALPH J. MOUW
May 27, 1919 - August 14, 2009
A graduate of Northwestern Classical Academy and Northwestern Junior College, Ralph finished his four-year degree in math and physics at Hope College, Holland, Michigan in 1940. Receiving a low draft number, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1941 for a one-year commitment; however, while in training at the Field Artillery School, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, resulting in the extension of Ralph's military commitment. After two years of extensive training Stateside in the "brain work" of the "Long Tom" field artillery gun, Ralph was tasked to prepare for D-Day in England. Two weeks before his overseas orders to England arrived, he married his long-time love, Genevieve Slothouber. Serving as executive officer, his battery supported the 4th Infantry Division of the Army's VII Corps. During D-Day training, his battery won a competition for being the best artillery unit and thus earned the distinction of being the first artillery unit to go ashore on D-Day at Utah Beach, Normandy, France. Though strafed by German fire, Ralph's unit lost no men going ashore and then fought for 78 hours straight. His battery was the first to fire on Cherbourg, France, and also the first to fire into Germany at Aachen. Spending 140 days in combat status, he was awarded five "battle stars" and the Bronze Arrowhead Medal. While in combat, he also earned a battlefield promotion to the rank of Captain. As Allied forces advanced into Germany, Ralph was involved in the liberation of Nordhausen Concentration Camp in April 1945. He wrote home, "You probably have been reading in the papers concerning the brutal treatment in concentration camps over here - I have seen enough to last me a lifetime." In 1998, Ralph typed up his reflections, which he called “Stories of Faith." He wrote, "By the Grace of God I was able to endure the rigors of war and live through those dangers all the way from D-Day until we met up with the Russians 25 miles south of Berlin on the Elbe River. Yes, our God is trustworthy!” Following his honorable discharge from service, Ralph came home to Iowa. He earned a master's degree at the University of Iowa and then was hired by Northwestern College to teach mathematics and physics. He taught at Northwestern College for 36 years, was active in the Pressman-Kosters American Legion, and faithfully served in Trinity Reformed Church. Ralph passed away on August 14, 2009 at the age of 90. Former students of his, Lee and Bonnie Meier published a book in 2014 titled, Letters from Ralph: A Soldier Writes Home During World War II.
MARION "BUD" VANDER LAAN
September 18, 1920 - April 2, 2019
Marion (Bud) Vander Laan entered the service on November 3, 1942, at the beginning of World War II. Bus was attached to the Army Air Force with the 7th Photo Reconnaissance group of the 22nd Squadron. This group developed photos taken by P-38 pilots equipped with four cameras for use by Military Intelligence Units to plan missions for the Bomber Squadrons. The 7th Photo Reconnaissance Group flew 58 missions and developed 26,000 photos. Bud was discharged on September 28, 1945. He returned to New York with 15,000 other veterans on the Queen Elizabeth, greeted by Kate Smith singing, “God Bless America”. On his discharge, Bud was employed by Wells Blue Bunny for 27 years. Bud was a fixture in the Orange City community, delivering milk to local families and businesses. Bud enjoyed many activities in his leisure time including fishing, hunting, ball sports, camping, wood working, and spending time with his family. Bud was an active member of the Pressman-Kosters American Legion Post for 74 years, many of those as the Commander of the post. Bud was instrumental in recruiting boys from local schools for American Legion Boys State. Bud and his brothers were able to participate in an Honor Flight to honor their brother, Herman, a soldier who was killed in action in 1944. As a member of the First Reformed Church, Bud held many leadership roles including fifteen mission trips. Bud and his wife, Dorthena, celebrated 75 years of marriage in 2018, together raising six children. Bud passed away on April 2, 2019.
VERNON K. SCHOEP
December 15, 1915 - October 16, 1987
Vernon K. Schoep was inducted into the U.S. Army on August 4, 1943, at Fort Crook, Nebraska. He achieved the rank of Technical Staff Sergeant for the United States Army. With advanced training in chemical warfare. He reported to Camp Sibert, Alabama (Company E, 1st Training Regiment, ASFTC) as an instructor ·for 21 months. He taught new recruits the use of weapons, chemical munitions, toxic gas handling, map reading, close order drill, and military discipline educating soldiers that would be stationed overseas. Sergeant Schoep later served with the 9710th Technical Service Unit at Edgewood Arsenal, Maryland for six months in charge of company requisitioned stock and issuance of supplies. He also handled supply records and inventory. He was honorably discharged on March 21, 1946, at Fort George G. Meade, Alabama. After leaving the service Vern and his wife, Mildred, made their home in Orange City, where they raised their three children. For nineteen years, he was the manager of the National Food Store in Orange City. Vern and his wife then owned and operated Vern's Finer Foods for seven years. He was later employed by the Vogel Paint Company in Orange City as a supervisor for Vogel stores, an advertising manager, and worked with agency marketing. He later initiated the Vogel corporate employee magazine, "Take Ten," as its first editor. Vern was a member of the First Reformed Church of Orange City, where he served on the consistory as both elder and deacon and taught Sunday School. As a businessman, Vern had been active in the Orange City Chamber of Commerce and Tulip Festival Steering Committee. He was also a member of Pressman-Kosters Post 329 of the American Legion and the secretary of the Mended Hearts chapter in Sioux City.
ROBERT L. SCHOEP
Robert L. Schoep was born and raised in Orange City. He is the oldest of three children born to Vernon and Mildred Schoep. His father, Vernon, served during World War II. Bob graduated from the University of South Dakota, in the spring of 1968, earing a degree in Business Administration, with a Major in Accounting. He married Joanne Fikse, a Northwestern College graduate, on June 24, 1968. He was drafted into the United States Army on October 22, 1968, and received his basic training at Fort Ord, California, followed by advanced Military Police training at Fort Gordon, Georgia. After completing his training, he received orders for Vietnam in March of 1969. During his fourteen months in Vietnam, Bob was assigned to Headquarters, 1st Logistical Command (II Corps), in Intelligence and Security, near Qui Nhon (Long My Depot), Binh Dinh Province. He worked in the Tactical Operations Center as Intelligence Sergeant, responsible for the security of the Depot and its classified documents, preparing the daily intelligence report and supervising soldiers responsible for radio and telephone communications, and defense of the Depot. Sergeant Schoep was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for “Meritorious Achievement in Ground Operations Against Hostile Forces”. He was honorably discharged from the Army on May 27, 1970. After his discharge, Bob moved to Colorado and began his career as a CPA and bank holding company Vice President and Controller. Whie working, he attended the University of Colorado at Boulder, earning a graduate degree in Banking and Finance. Bob was active as a deacon and treasurer in his church, chairman of the classis financial review committee, assistant treasurer of the Rock Mountain Billy Graham Crusade, Assistant Scoutmaster in Boy Scouts, and he served as controller for the New World Airport Commission during the construction and opening events of Denver International Airport. He is now retired from Wells Fargo and resides in Highland Ranch, Colorado with Joanne. They have two sons, David and Brian, two daughters, Jana and Tara, and eight grandchildren.
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.