Lester Fynaardt, 94, of Oskaloosa, passed away on Friday, November 8, 2024, at his home in Oskaloosa.
Lester James Fynaardt was born February 25, 1930, one mile west of Fremont, Iowa. He was the son of Pete and Delia (Ringelestein) Fynaardt. Les attended Cedar Consolidated School through 5th grade before moving to a farm southeast of Oskaloosa, where he attended FairView Country School through the 8th grade.
Les was a lifelong member of Oskaloosa First Christian Reformed Church, where he was baptized and made profession of faith.
He was united in marriage to Rachel Vander Molen on October 18, 1951, at her home in Pella. Following a honeymoon trip to Niagara Falls, they settled on a farm home southeast of Oskaloosa. He was enlisted in the Army National Guard from 1954-1959.
Les and Rachel were blessed with three sons who learned to work side by side with their dad. Together, they tilled the soil for crops, baled hay, chopped silage for livestock, and spent numerous hours in the shop, usually welding something that needed fixed. Throughout his lifetime, Les spent countless hours on the seat of a tractor.
Through the years Les served on the First Christian Reformed Church Council, Oskaloosa Christian School Board, Mahaska Rural Water Board, and Farm Credit Services of America.
In 1994, Lester and Rachel purchased the “long lane” house in Oskaloosa and dwelled there for 19 years. During those years, Les made daily trips to the farm to help his sons. He took pride in keeping the acres of lawn and the pond in tip-top shape. It was here where Les envisioned them staying when “old age” crept in, which led him to build the FynView condos. In 2013, when it was time to downsize, Les and Rae were able to live out their final days here until they were called “home” to glory.
He is survived by his three sons, two daughters-in-law, six granddaughters (who he loved to tease), 17 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter:
Harold Fynaardt of Oskaloosa,
Daniel & Karen (DeJong) Fynaardt of Oskaloosa,
Michelle & Matthew Van Maanen of Pella, IA
Makenzie, Aidan, Kyler
Sara & Shawn Van Wyk of Grinnell, IA
Brandon & Lauren Van Wyk & Sutton
Payton, Blake
Katie & Josh Branderhorst of Pella, IA
Gage, Riker, Eli
Roger & Cyndi (Vos) Fynaardt of Oskaloosa, IA
Trisha & Andrew Schreier of Sioux Center, IA
Makinley, Kendra, Kyle
Deann & Layton De Groot of Oskaloosa, IA
Raegan, Jayde, Logan
Jenna & Ryan Morrison of Burnside, IL
Kennedy, Cadence
Les leaves behind his siblings and in-laws: Joann Kelderman, Dorothy Groenenboom, Marilyn & Jim Brummel, Pete Fynaardt, and Paul Fynaardt, all from the Oskaloosa area. Donald and Pauline DeCook of Indianola, and Mary Ann Vander Molen of Pella.
He is preceded in death by his wife Rachel, and the following in-laws: Joann Fynaardt, Barb Fynaardt, Paul Groenenboom, Tunie Kelderman, Anna and Marion Hol, Bernard and Alida Vander Molen, Paul and Henrietta Vander Hart, Greda Vander Hart, Hilda and Ed Groenendyk, Lawrence Vander Molen, and Ed and Cathryn Van Ee.
Funeral Services for Lester will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at the First Christian Reformed Church, with Reverend Jon Spronk officiating. A family prayer service will be held at 10:15 a.m. in the church fellowship hall. Burial will be in Forest Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m., Tuesday, at the First Christian Reformed Church; the family will greet visitors from 4-6 p.m. Memorial contributions can be made to Mahaska Health Foundation for the Hospice Serenity House or Oskaloosa Christian School, Phase II. Langkamp Funeral Chapel has been entrusted with Lester’s final arrangements.
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