Arnold VanKley

1940 - 2014

Arnold Van Kley

Rock Valley, Iowa: Arnold "Arnie" Van Kley, 74, of Rock Valley, Iowa died Wednesday, November 5, 2014 at the Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota surrounded by his loving family. Family prayer service will begin at 10:00 a.m. Saturday at Trinity Christian Reformed Church followed by burial at Valley View Cemetery. Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 8, 2014 at the Trinity Christian Reformed Church in Rock Valley with Rev. Bobby Van Otterloo and Rev. Stanley Groothof officiating. Visitation with the family present will be 5:00-7:00 p.m. Friday, November 7, 2014 at Trinity Christian Reformed Church. Condolences for the family may be left online at www.porterfuneralhomes.com.

Born in Hudson, South Dakota, Arnie was the eldest of four children of Fred and Mary (Dorhout) Van Kley. He was raised in rural Rock Valley and attended Hull Western Christian High School, graduating in 1957. He served in the Air National Guard and married the love of his life, Retta Sandbulte, on June 30, 1960. Making their home in Rock Valley, the couple had four children, and Arnie worked at Kooima Manufacturing for 17 years before founding Van Kley Tool and Die in 1976. As owner/operator, he built countless manufacturing fixtures, dies, and specialty machines. His remarkable ingenuity and perseverance made it seem as if no task was beyond his mechanical capability and scope of knowledge. His love of precision machining was eventually conferred to his youngest son, Nate, who purchased the shop in 2012. Arnie continued working for the business and at the time he suffered a fatal arrhythmia, he was doing what he loved -- working at the shop and playing with one of his grandsons.

A charter member of Trinity Christian Reformed Church, Arnie served numerous terms on the consistory and on the Rock Valley Christian School Board. In addition to his many years with the Valley Male Chorus, Arnie was an avid sportsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing with friends and family. Sharing his faith with others through quiet example, he drew daily upon the strength of his Lord and Savior. Countless e-mails and text messages to his beloved grandchildren reminded them that grandpa's passion was for each one to find a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. His devotion and commitment to the faith will remain a cherished part of his legacy. Indeed, Arnie's love of God and family was evident in every interaction while memories of his mechanical skill, his wonderful sense of humor, and unmistakable compassion for those around him will remain an abiding testament to his life.

Blessed for having shared his life including his wife of 54 years, Retta, their four sons, Rev. Dave Van Kley (Jody) with children Kent and Ross of Sheldon, Iowa; Dr. Galen Van Kley with daughters Dru and Jade of Vermillion, South Dakota; Scott Van Kley (Rachelle) with children Tyler and Vanessa; Nate Van Kley (Laurie) with children Cowan, Breya, Brennan, and Trevin of Rock Valley; sisters, Jo (Art) Franken of Sheldon and Wilma (Gerry) Juffer of Sioux Center; brother, Fred (Karla) Van Kley, Jr. of Rock Valley; and several brothers and sisters-in-law. He is preceded in death by his parents, Fred, Sr. and Mary Van Kley.