Kenneth J. Huizenga

1935 - 2025

Kenneth J. Huizenga
Born: August 12, 1935 in Garden Plain, IL
Died: August 16, 2025 in Sterling, IL
Kenneth J. Huizenga, 90, was born August 12, 1935 to Alice (Zeeryp) and Cornelius Huizenga in Garden Plain, IL.
A visitation will be held from 9-11 a.m. on Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at the Fulton Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home, followed by the funeral service, starting at 11 a.m. Pastor Jeff Coester of The Big Red Church in Sterling, IL will be officiating. Interment will be in Fulton Township Cemetery.
Ken spent his youth living upstairs of his family Garden Plain grocery store and working in his father's field. Before school he picked vegetables to peddle market to other grocery stores in the area. Ken attended Garden Plain schools and graduated from Fulton High School in 1953, and has lived his whole adult-life two doors west of the old Garden Plain Grade School.
Ken met the love of his life, Helga (Ibs) while cruising the streets of Clinton in his new red/white '56 Chevy Bel Air convertible. The handsome guy with that bright smile and the shiny classic car, caught her eye and they had their first date at a Maid-rite in the Quad Cities. They married in the Zion Lutheran Church, Clinton, IA on August 20, 1960.
Ken served in the US Army being drafted 1958-1960 and 1961-1962 during the Berlin Crisis and sent to Korea. He is a member of the American Legion, Post 402, Fulton, IL and member of the United Methodist Church, Morrison, IL.
Ken enjoyed gardening and sharing his produce with friends and family. He always made sure to supply his girls, grandkids and special friends with his homegrown popcorn. Ken and Helga loved to travel and camp along the way, visiting all 50 states and traveling to Germany to visit his daughter and family while they were stationed there. They also wintered in Donna, TX for nearly 20 years in their motorhome. Ken's greatest joy in life was spending time with family and special hugs from his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Before retirement, Ken worked as an insurance agent, Clinton Corn Processing, Brinkman Lumber Company, and substitute rural mail carrier for Fulton and Cordova areas.
Ken is survived by his loving wife, Helga, and daughters: Rita (Randy) Kaufman-Schaller and Christine (James) McGowan. Grandchildren: Katie (Adam) Hoagland, Alyssa (Joe) Fisher, Brianna (Doug) Chidester, Nicholas (Katie) Kaufman, Courtney McGowan, Ryan McGowan, Mitch Schaller and Jordan Schaller. Great-Grandchildren: Colton Hoagland, Kennedy & Paige Fisher, Wren Kaufman, and a great-grandbaby on the way.
Ken was proceeded in death by his parents, sister Ella Mae Bielema, and brother Wayne Huizenga.
Memorials may be made to The Big Red Church - First Congregational, Sterling, IL and Albany Ambulance, Albany, IL.