Obituary of Kern James Nikkel

Kern J. Nikkel Newton Funeral Services for Kern, will be held 10:00 a.m., Friday, September 2, 2011, at the Sully Christian Reformed Church. Friends may call at the Pence-Reese Funeral Home in Newton after 5 p.m. until 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 1. Burial will be at the Sully Cemetery. Memorials in Kern's name: are being designated to college funds for his grandchildren: Jordyn Alice, Bode and Addison. Kern James Nikkel, 59, the son of James Henry and Anna Mae (DeCook) Nikkel, was born December 14, 1951, in Oskaloosa. He attended Sully Christian grade school, graduating from Lynnville - Sully High School, Class of 1970. Kern had served his country with the Iowa Air National Guard. On June 2, 1979, Kern was united in marriage with Sandra Steenhoek, at the Pleasant View Methodist Church, rural Newton. He devoted his life to his wife, daughter, sons, grandchildren and family. A longtime resident of the Sully-Lynnville area, he was employed as a shift supervisor for Priority Plastics. He enjoyed his family and farming. Kern died Monday evening, August 29, 2011, at his home, near Lynnville. Those left to honor the memory of Kern include his wife Sandy; daughter Rebecca (Jon) Puls of Brooklyn; sons Ryan Nikkel of Des Moines and Jacob Nikkel of Ottumwa; three grandchildren: Jordyn Alice, Bode and Addison; sister Brenda (Darrell) Van Der Kamp of Ankeny; brother Scott (Vicki) Nikkel of Sully; his parents James & Anna Mae Nikkel; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Bill & Betty Steenhoek; sister-in-law Deb Steenhoek; brother-in-law Mike (Beth) Steenhoek; sister-in-law Pam (Jeremy) Lowe; many nieces, nephew and friends.