TUCSON, AZ—Paul Den Herder, 84, of Tucson, AZ, formerly of Sioux Center, died Nov. 13, 2021, in Tucson.
Services of celebration in Paul’s heart homes will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 7650 N. Paseo del Norte, Tucson, AZ, and First Reformed Church in Sioux Center, IA, in mid-May.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.neptunesociety.com/location/tucson-cremation for the Den Herder family.
Paul Duane Den Herder was born May 13, 1937, to Elmer and Christine (Vreeman) Den Herder in Sioux Center, IA.
Paul was the mischievous middle son of six children. He is famously known for taking his pony, Silver, upstairs in the house to scare his sisters and cousins. He discovered that ponies go upstairs much easier than they come down! Paul was proud to have been born and raised on the family farm where hard work and fun abounded. Life on the farm was the basis for many stories right up to the end of his life.
On Sept. 2, 1958, Paul married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Marlene Mieras, at the First Reformed Church, the same church where he was baptized and later taught Sunday School and ushered.
In 1960 Paul graduated from Iowa State University in Ames. He worked for the Ralston Purina Company as a sales representative before buying and managing Sioux Feed Company in Sioux Center. In 1967 he sold Sioux Feed and became a partner in Tri-State Livestock and eventually became owner/manager until 1983. He served on the national board of the Livestock Marketing Association. In 1985 he moved to Tucson, AZ, where he worked as a real estate broker until his retirement.
Paul and Marlene were an extraordinary couple, working together for decades, parenting, traveling and making the most of each day. In Tucson they delivered mobile meals for Interfaith Community Services for 17 years. They are members of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church where they were active in Bible Study, ushering and “Sandwich Squad.” They enjoyed the symphony, theater, art exhibits and socializing with friends. Paul enjoyed polishing his shoes and boots, dressing well, reading novels and newspapers, a good joke and telling stories about the past. No matter where they lived or worked Paul and Marlene were blessed by lifelong friends that they will always cherish.
Paul is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Marlene; daughter, Jayne (Bruce) Rosenboom of Sioux Center, IA; sons, Mark (Indira) Den Herder of Chandler, AZ, and Christopher (Lisa) Den Herder of Mesa AZ; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
At the time of his death he had a brother, Philip (Pamela) Den Herder, Okoboji, IA; sisters, Mary (Warren) Vande Berg, Apex, NC, and Carol Den Herder, Sioux Falls, SD; sister-in-law Charlotte Vermeer, Orange City, IA; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death were his parents; brothers, James Den Herder and Roger and Audrey Den Herder; mother-in-law, Alice Mieras; in-laws Andrew Vermeer, Marvin and Betty De Groot; nieces Kaye Vaughan, Ann Den Herder and Kathy Koerselman; and nephew, Brian De Groot.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be directed to the St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church worship and music department or Interfaith Community Services, 2820 W. Ina Road, Tucson, AZ 85741-2502.