Cornelis (Corky) Havelaar

December 22, 1924 - January 29, 2014

Visitation: Visitation will be Sunday from 1-5 pm, with family present from 2-4 pm, at Anderson Funeral Home in Canton.

Service: Funeral services will begin at 10:30 a.m. Monday, February 3 at Canton United Methodist Church.

Cornelis (Corky) Havelaar, 89, died Wednesday, January 29, 2014 under hospice care at Sanford Canton-Inwood Hospital.   Funeral services will begin at 10:30 a.m. Monday, February 3 at Canton United Methodist Church.  Visitation will be Sunday from 1-5 pm, with family present from 2-4 pm, at Anderson Funeral Home in Canton.

          Corky was born December 22, 1924 on the home farm 6 miles southwest of Inwood, IA.  He was the 3rd of 9 children born to Dick and Gertrude (De Bruin) Havelaar.  He attended several schools while his family lived on various farms in IA and SD.  Corky enlisted in the Army in 1943.  He was a paratrooper during WWII serving in the Philippine and Tinian Islands.  After the war, he served in Okinawa as well as at the Atsugi Airbase north of Tokyo, Japan.   After being discharged, he returned to the Hudson, SD area to begin farming. 

          Corky married Bertha Koopsma, his high school sweetheart, on January 15, 1947 in Canton, SD.  They bought a farm south of Canton near Newton Hills where they raised their three daughters.  Bertha died of cancer on December 11, 1973.  On July 25, 1975 Corky married Gertrude Bakker Everhart.  They continued to farm until moving to Canton in 1983.  Corky used his carpentry skills doing remodeling and repairs for the next 15 years.  

          In his spare time, Corky enjoyed working in his flower beds, stamp collecting, golfing, and volunteering as a member of the Canton Optimist Club.  He was a member of the VFW, DAV, and Historical Society.  He was instrumental in restoring the Canton Heritage House.  Corky was voted “Citizen of the Year” by the Canton Chamber of Commerce in 1990. 

          Corky is survived by his wife, Gertrude; daughters- Donna (Rollie) VerWey, Sioux Falls, SD and Kathleen (Merlin) Halma, Inwood, IA; son-in-law, Jonn Byre, Sioux Falls, SD; step-children- Marla (Bill) Gerritsen, Inwood, IA, Myrna (Rick) Jones, Sioux Falls, SD, Mark Everhart, Canton, SD and  Madonna (Ken) Putnam, Marion, IA; sisters- Grace (Harvey) Brevik, Buffalo, MN, June (Allen) Carlson, Omaha, NE and Rose (Orian) Hawkins, Rapid City, SD;  15 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and numerous in-laws, nephews, nieces, and cousins.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Bertha; daughter, Julie Byre; parents; 3 brothers; and 2 sisters.  In lieu of flowers, memorial may be directed towards the Canton United Methodist Church Prayer Garden

www.andersonandsonsfh.com

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8 messages have been left

  1. Casey and Cindy Havelaar on January 30, 2014 said:

    Our thoughts and prayers are with your whole family!Corky was a great carpenter and had great detail in record keeping on the Havelaar Family History! We all enjoy reading the family histories and viewing the pictures that Corky put together in Albums at the annual Havelaar Re-Union.With deepest Sympathies and friendship. We will remember Corky fondly. Corky loved to visit with a cup of coffee in his hands.Sincerely Yours, Casey and Cindy Havelaar

  2. Larry Putnam and Ingrid Arlton on January 30, 2014 said:

    Our sympathy on your loss. We were fortunate to have known Corky through the special occasions in Madonna and Ken’s family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you mourn the loss of this good man. Larry and Ingrid

  3. Rich and Pam Duncan on January 30, 2014 said:

    Our prayers go out to the families of Uncle Corky. He will be dearly missed and never forgotten by those whose lives he has touched. Godspeed and peace to you.

  4. Val Ness and Jim Gross on January 31, 2014 said:

    We just heard about Cork’s passing and you all have our deepest sympathy. I have great memories of living across the road from Cork and Bert, Donna and Kathy. Julie came along after we moved away. Our thoughts are with you today and we wish you comfort in all of the memories that you have of Cork. Love, Val Ness and Jim Gross

  5. Doris Nelsen on February 1, 2014 said:

    Our thoughts and prayers are with you in the loss of Corky. We always enjoyed visiting with Corky at family gatherings at Ken and Madonna’s. He always had such an engaging spirit that we will all remember.
    Bob, Doris &Nikki

  6. Carla McMurry-Kozak on February 2, 2014 said:

    My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time and always.

  7. Darlene Jervik on February 2, 2014 said:

    My prayers and thoughts are with your family at his difficult time. May God be with you.

  8. Signe Espinoza on February 6, 2014 said:

    My sincere sympathy for the Havelaar families.

    Signe Bunkers Espinoza