Herman Doornenbal, Sr., 88, passed away peacefully with his family at his side at Bethany Home in Ripon on Saturday, Aug. 1.
He was born in Veenendaal, The Netherlands, on March 17,1921. His parents were Marinus and Jacoba Doornenbal.
Mr. Doornenbal met his wife, Clasina (De Kleer) during the German occupation of Holland at the time of WWII. They were married on Sept. 25, 1946 and came to Ripon, California on July 4, 1947. They worked hard toward their goal of starting their own dairy. They were able to start on a rented dairy in Ripon in 1951, and in 1953, purchased their own dairy on Lone Tree Road in Escalon. Mr. Doornenbal was totally devoted and committed to God, his family and his dairy. He remained a dairyman until he breathed his last. His sons grew up to become farmers and dairymen and his daughters became registered nurses. His youngest son, Peter, died in a car accident at the age of 16. His wife, Clasina, passed away on Aug. 22, 2007.
In the early years shortly after immigration, Herman and Clasina became members of the First Christian Reformed Church in Ripon. Later, with their family, they were members of the Christian Reformed Church of Escalon for many years, and in later years became members of the Zion United Reformed Church of Ripon.
Survivors include his five children, Rien (Lieske) Doornenbal, Herman Jr. (Kris) Doornenbal and Coby Doornenbal, all of Escalon, Nell (Greg) Ketner of Oakdale and Joe (Astrid) Doornenbal of Scio, Oregon; eight grandchildren; six great grandchildren; his sister, Wilma Smeenk of Monroe, WA; and two brothers, Hendrik Doornenbal of Veenendaal, The Netherlands, and Marinus Doornenbal of Modesto.
A graveside service was held at Ripon Cemetery on Friday, Aug. 7 followed by a Memorial Service at Christian Reformed Church of Escalon.
Deegan Funeral Chapel in charge of arrangements. On line guest book available at www.deeganriponfuneralchaples.com.
Remembrances may be made to Bethany Home, 930 West Main St., Ripon, CA 95366.
The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader
Aug. 12, 2009
