Delavan - Roger Kok, age 81, of Delavan passed away on Monday, January 18, 2021 at Aurora Lakeland Medical Center in Elkhorn.
Roger was born December 20, 1939 in Cambria, WI to William and Anna (Elgersma) and grew up on a farm in Randolph, WI. He graduated in 1957 from Randolph High School, where he was a talented basketball player. He went on to receive a B.S. Degree in General Science Education with a permanent Wisconsin Teaching Certificate from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls (1957-61).
Roger taught at Calvin Memorial Christian School in St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada from 1961-1967. He was an Administrator and Teacher with the Delavan Christian School from 1967-1995. During his teaching years, he was involved in the school’s athletic programs and held a number of different summer jobs. He later went on to become the manager of an apartment complex for many years in Delavan, WI.
Meeting his wife, Joyce, was truly the highlight of his life. They were married in June of 1960 at Baldwin Reformed Church and spent 60 beautiful years in marriage together. Roger and Joyce served as custodians for Delavan Christian Reformed Church, where they were members for many years.
Despite his long battle with Parkinson’s, Roger was always a hard worker and considered work to be a gift from God. It’s part of who he was, and this principle underlined every endeavor he undertook throughout his life. In addition to his work, Roger enjoyed spending his time outdoors, studying nature, and marveling at the beauty of God’s creation. His interests included bee keeping, hunting, fishing, hiking, and reading.
Above all else, Roger loved the Lord with all his heart and put an emphasis on having a personal relationship with Jesus. He encouraged his children and grandchildren to study God’s Word and leaves this legacy of faith with them. We rejoice that he is now in the arms of Jesus, reunited with Joyce and Nate to share in Heaven’s glory.
Roger is survived by his sisters, Esther (Howard) VantHoff and Marlene (Don) Hughes; his sister-in-law Lorraine (Deryl) Alwin; his three sons, William (Cheryl) Kok, Dan (Jenny) Kok, and Jon Kok; his grandchildren, Jessica, Joshua, Jared, David, Ethan, and Caleb; and his many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his loving wife, Joyce, his brother and sister-in-law, Seymour and Junice Kok; his brothers-in-law Howard VantHoff and Don Hughes; his sisters and brothers-in-law, Hazel (Lesley) Rens, Marlys (Lester) Rens, and Sylvia (Van) Van Someren; and his grandson, Nathanael.
Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, February 13, 2021 at Delavan Christian Reformed Church, 850 Oak Street in Delavan. Visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service on Saturday at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Delavan Christian Reformed Church, 850 Oak St. Delavan, WI 53115 or the Delavan Christian School, 848 Oak St. Delavan, WI 53115 are appreciated. You may donate via the church or school’s websites, or by sending a donation to their specific address.
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