Hank Van Kooten - Winterset

Henry Paul "Hank" Van Kooten, 84, of Winterset, passed away November 1, 2015 at Westbridge Care & Rehabilitation Center in Winterset. He was born February 18, 1931, in Searsboro, Iowa, the son of Peter and Jennie Swank Van Kooten. On September 16, 1961, he was united in marriage to Sherryl Ruby Bruett in Winterset. They had two children, Tonja (Bill) Porter of Peru and Todd (Tracy) Van Kooten of St. Charles. Hank also had two children from a previous marriage, son, Dean Van Kooten and daughter Linda Sue Van Kooten. He had five grandchildren, Seth Porter (Becky Hahn), Fona (Jonni) Holtry, Joey Van Kooten, Lora Van Kooten, and Lisa Van Kooten, and many great grandchildren. Hank owned a tree service business for many years then he and Sherryl managed and maintained the Winterset Park Apartments. After Sherryl's death in 1995, he continued his maintenance position there until his final illness. Hank loved camping, fishing and socializing with his many friends, including Ed Parker and Shelby Reynolds. In younger years, he enjoyed traveling and gathered many stories that he would later tell around a campfire. He took his family on great vacations every year, driving to places like Colorado and California. In later years, he enjoyed time spent playing poker with Todd at his cabin in the woods, sitting around a campfire, and wagering lottery tickets on the football games. He was always ready with a helping hand to anyone who needed it, and was well known for his sense of humor and work ethic. He was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Jennie Van Kooten; his wife, Sherryl Van Kooten; his children, Dean Van Kooten and Linda Sue Van Kooten; brother, Cornie Van Kooten; and brothers-in-law, Earl DeBoef and Darrrell Bruett. A memorial service for Hank will be held 1:30 PM Wednesday, November 4, 2015, at McCalley-Collins Funeral Home with Rev. Dr. John Shaull officiating. Interment of cremains will be in the Winterset Cemetery. Family will receive friends from noon until service time on Wednesday. Memorials may be directed to his family for a future designation. Service: 1:30 PM Wednesday November 4, 2015 McCalley - Collins Funeral Home Winterset Visitation: Noon until service time on Wednesday McCalley - Collins Funeral Home Winterset