Dewey Kootstra

1935 - 2005

Dewey Kootstra

April 23, 1935 May 14, 2005

Dewey Kootstra, age 70, owner of Kootstra Dairy Farms, died at Mercy Hospital on Saturday, May 14, 2005, following a courageous battle with cancer and stroke related health issues.

He was born April 23, 1935, in the town of Den Helder, Holland near the family dairy farm. In 1949, his parents Harold and Martha left for the United States with their six children Lewis, Willie, Hillie, John, Dewey and Margie. The first leg of their journey was a 13-day voyage across the Atlantic to Hoboken, N.J., followed by a four-day trip by train to join family in Modesto. Harold Kootstra landed a cow-milking job in Bellflower bringing the family to southern California. At age 17, Dewey was already earning more than his school teacher by milking cows. His teacher told him to continue in school because the dairy cows would soon be leaving Bellflower. Kootstras response was, "When the cows go, I go. They left, and so did he.

Dewey married Helen Tjaarda on January 19, 1954 and together they had five children, Howard, Perrin, Gaylene, Marlene and Joy. They lived in Bellflower and then in Sun Valley, CA.

Dewey served in the National Guard and attained the rank of sergeant as a tank commander. He was always very proud of his service to this country.

In 1955, Dewey and his brother, Lewis, started their first dairy in North Hollywood with 57 head of cows. They continued to expand and began selling some of their milk at a drive through convenience store they built in San Fernando in 1963. Eventually, due to urban encroachment, and the need for a larger facility, they moved the dairy to Kern County in 1969. Once established, Dewey moved his family to Bakersfield.

Deweys vast experience with the agriculture community and the dairy business has been a key ingredient to his extensive involvement with the Kern County Fair over the years. He served on the fair board of directors for thirteen years. Dewey filled the office of vice president in 1985 and 1993 and president in 1986. He also served as chairman of several Board Advisory Committees throughout his tenure. When his daughter Marlene's dairy heifer was calving at the Kern County Fair in the 1980's he was impressed at the crowd that had gathered. The next year, he instituted the Dairy Birthing Center at the Kern County Fair, which has become the prototype for the California State Fair as well as numerous fairs across the nation. The dairy complex was named the Kootstra Dairy barn in 1996 and through Kootstras leadership, this program is now a major educational exhibit at the fair each year. Dewey was proudly recognized and honored as Agriculturist of the Year in 2002.

Dewey will be remembered by everyone who knew him as an honest, hard working man who loved to laugh. He loved to travel and shared many adventures with his loving companion Karen Ash. Thank you for the love and care youve given him.

Our father was an amazing man who loved life, laughter, family and friends. Thank you for the lessons you taught, the love you shared and the memories we made. We love you and will miss you always.

He is survived by his family, Helen Kootstra, Howard and Elaine Kootstra, Perrin and Laina Kootstra, Gaylene and Dale Colburn, Marlene Kootstra, Joy and William Morrow. Grandchildren Brian, Kyle, Jenna, Brittney, Erin, Chelsea, Ciena, Mackenzie, Adyson, Spencer and Carter.

Dewey was preceded in death by his parents Harold and Martha Kootstra, his brothers, Lewis and John Kootstra, his sister Hillie Van Vliet and his grandson, Jackson Douwe Morrow.

Pallbearers: Howard Kootstra, Perrin Kootstra, Lee Kootstra, Richard Kootstra, William Morrow, Perry Tjaarda, Brian Kootstra and Kyle Kootstra. Honorary pallbearers: Aldo Angone, Warren Ash, Frank Del Papa, Tony Fiorillo, Walt Fisher, Doug Kaiser, Pete Kaiser, Hans Mossiman, Filomeno Patino, Herman Porter, Bob Taylor, Ed Tjaarda and Richard Williford.

Graveside services will be held at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Mortuary at 9101 Kern Canyon Road on Thursday, May 19, 2005 at 11:30 a.m. A memorial service will follow, commencing at 1:00 p.m., held in Valley Baptist Church at 4800 Fruitvale Ave.