Rodney Van't Hof

Rodney L. Van't Hof, age 85 of Sioux Center, IA passed away on Friday, April 11, 2025 at his home in Sioux Center, surrounded by his family.

Visitation will be from 4-7 PM with family present on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at the Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center. 

A Memorial Service will be held at 11 AM Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at the Central Reformed Church in Sioux Center with the Rev. Jesse Henkle officiating. 

A prayer service will be held at 9AM Wednesday at the Memorial Funeral Home preceding the burial at the Carmel Reformed Cemetery, Rock Valley, IA.

Rodney (Rod) Lee Van’t Hof was born on Easter Sunday, March 24, 1940, in Orange City, Iowa the twin son of Bernard John and Henrietta (Kleinhesselink) Van’t Hof. He was raised on a farm near Carmel (Rock Valley), Iowa where he attended a country school and Sioux Center High School. He began his truck driving career when he was 16, driving a feed grinder.

Rod married the love of his life, Karlene Kae Vaas at her family home in Newkirk on June 30, 1961, on one of the hottest days of the year. They lived in Sioux Center, Orange City, and Sheldon, before moving to Rod’s parents farm in 1977 near Carmel. They later moved back to Sioux Center in 1992 and lived in the same home until just recently.

He drove millions of miles in his lifetime hauling various products throughout the United States. He took great pride in his trucks by keeping them clean and shiny. If you were ever a passenger in his truck, you were probably given a dust rag to wipe the dash on that side. His last job was driving the side dump for Vander Pol Excavating where he formed many friendships. He worked for Vander Pol up until October of 2022 when he was diagnosed with leukemia for the first time.

Rod loved his family and enjoyed any opportunity to be with them. Sunday morning coffee time was cherished immensely. His face lit up when the young ones of the families arrived. He loved deeply and enjoyed attending events for his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren when possible. Rod was currently a member of Central Reformed Church in Sioux Center, Iowa.

Rod is survived by his devoted wife of nearly 64 years, Karlene, and their 5 children:

Son, Randy and Gretchen (Dirksen) Van’t Hof

Colton and Tessa Van’t Hof and their son, Theodore

Dylon and Julie Van’t Hof and their children, Adeline & Rowan Rodney

Elijah Van’t Hof

Bobby and Kendra Webb and their children, Lily and Bennett

Son, Steve and Kelly (De Zeeuw) Van’t Hof

Sam Van’t Hof and his fiancé Allie Norton

Elliot Van’t Hof

Son, Jeff and Sherry (Stratmeyer) Van’t Hof

Sophia and Erik Sommervold and their children, Cameryn and Jaxon

Shaunna and Austin Schnieders and their children, Xandra and Stevie

Clara Van’t Hof

Aubrie Franken and her fiancé Garrett Arends

Daughter, Kris and Bob Brummel

Kasandra and Ryan Steven and their children, Madison and Hunter

Matt and Abby Brummel

Son, Brad and Cammy (Jacobsma) Van’t Hof

Rod is also survived by his sibling, Gene (Becky) Van’t Hof; his brother and sisters-in-law, Twyla Vaas, Daryl (Ruth) Vaas, and Eulyn (Owen) Dykshorn. He was preceded in death by an infant son, Michael Jay; his parents; parents-in-law, Donald and Winifred Vaas; his sisters, Florence (Kenny) Sandbulte; Betty (Delmar) Sandbulte; twin brother Roger (Lori) Van’t Hof and his brother-in-law Bennett Vaas.