Paul J. Huizenga, 98, of Morrison, IL, died Saturday, July 17, 2021, at Resthave Care & Rehabilitation, in Morrison, IL.
Paul was born September 25, 1922, in rural Whiteside County, Ustick Township, Fulton, IL, to Claus P. and Kate (Eissens) Huizenga. He was educated in the Fairhaven and Cobb Schools in rural Whiteside County. On September 25, 1944, he married Verna J. Dykstra in Fulton, IL. She died on December 18, 2001. Paul farmed his entire life in Ustick Township. He was a member of Spring Valley Reformed Church, where he served many years as a consistory member and Sunday School teacher He belonged to Gideons International, where he was involved in the Jail Ministries. Paul was also a long-time member of the Whiteside County Farm Bureau. Paul was the last surviving member of the Spring Valley Aces Fast Pitch Softball team and watched the Cubs play his entire life. Paul and Verna farmed together all of their lives on their family farm and built a close-knit community, that would get together for a “wiener roast” at the drop of a hat. He enjoyed playing golf and traveling, especially to California, Maine, and Michigan, where he could watch all his grandkids’ and great-grandkids’ activities. He spent hours entertaining his grandkids with stories about the one-horned cow and about growing up with his family and friends. He took great pride in teaching his grandkids the finer points of rodent mitigation in the hay mow, and helping them dam up the creek, so they could make mud slides. He loved teaching the lessons of loving one another and never shared a sour word about anyone, which earned him the family nickname of “St. Paul.” He was sharp until the end and left us all with the most encouraging words of love, hard work, hard play, and patience. Paul will be greatly missed.
Survivors include daughters, Ruth (Robb) Robbins of Grand Haven, MI, and Donna (Doug) Nelson of Ojai, CA; son, Bob Huizenga of Muskegon, MI; former daughter-in-law, Barb Kirchaine, of Muskegon, MI; eight grandchildren, Josh (Lidie) Robbins, Ben (Amy) Robbins, Adam (Mia) Nelson, Matt (Lindsey) Nelson, Luke (Marisol) Nelson, Chad Huizenga, Jon Huizenga, and Katie Recknagel;17 great-grandchildren; sisters, Mrs. Bernice Workman and Mrs. Anna Marie Smith, both of Fulton; sister-in-law, Marian Vogel, of Fulton.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Verna; sisters, Gertrude Drolema, Hildred Buikema, and Minnie Huizenga; brother, Charles Huizenga.
His Funeral Service will be 2:00 p.m., Thursday, July 22, 2021, at Spring Valley Reformed Church in Fulton, IL. It will be officiated by Rev. Ralph Beidler, Pastor at Holland Heights Christian Reformed Church, in Holland, MI.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 21, 2021, at the Morrison Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home, in Morrison, IL.
Face masks will be required at the Visitation and the Funeral Service.
Interment will be in Fulton Township Cemetery Fulton, IL.
A memorial has been established to Resthave Care & Rehabilitation and Spring Valley Reformed Church.