Freddie John Poortinga

Freddie John Poortinga, 85, of Iowa Falls, Iowa passed away Friday, November 18, 2016 at Hansen Family Hospital in Iowa Falls. Memorial services for Freddie John Poortinga will be held 10:30 am, Saturday November 26, 2016 at the Linn's Funeral Home Chapel; 1521 Washington Ave.; Iowa Falls, Iowa, 50126. A time of sharing and storytelling will be held an hour and a half prior, from 9:00 until 10:30 am Saturday November 26, 2016 also at the Linn's Funeral Home Chapel in Iowa Falls. Memorials may be directed to: The Family of Freddie Poortinga; c/o Linn's Funeral Home; 1521 Washington Ave.; Iowa Falls, Iowa 50126. The Linn's Funeral Home is helping the family with arrangements.

Freddie John Poortinga was born October 21, 1931 to Frank and Lois Poortgina in Newton, Iowa. He attended high school in Monroe, Iowa and graduated in 1949. He served in the Navy during the Korean war. After Freddie entered the service he married Dorothy Tingle and later divorced. On October 20, 2000 he was united in marriage to Gayle Joyce Buckholtz at the Methodist Church in Slater, Iowa. Freddie worked in equipment assembly instruction at John Deere for 32 years before retiring in 1986. He spent most of his time there teaching farmers around the world how to use their cotton picking machinery. After retirement he ran Meadow Hills golf course for 10 years. Freddie also enjoyed fishing and was a member of the Shriners, the American Legion, and the Elks Club. 

Those left to cherish Freddie John Poortinga is his wife: Gayle Poortinga of Iowa Falls, Iowa; two children: Lucinda Poortinga of Atlanta, Georgia;, and John [Monica] Poortinga of Germany; four step-children: Vickie [Rudy] Hernandez of Iowa Falls, Penny [Ron] Evans of Iowa Falls, Chris [Janelle] Vestal of St. Joseph, Missouri, and Becky Vieth of Iowa Falls; his sister Freda DeGreefe of Newton, Iowa; and three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents: Frank and Lois Poortinga; and his sister: Jean Wilcox.