November 18, 1930 – March 10, 2024

Henry “Hank” De Kruif, age 93, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. A funeral service was held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at First Christian Reformed Church, Sioux Falls, S.D.

Henry De Kruif was born on November 18, 1930, to John and Grace (De Vries) De Kruif near Chandler, Minnesota. Number seven of eleven children, Henry was loved dearly by his older sisters who taught him everything he needed to know about sewing and embroidery. He completed school through the eighth grade, working on his family’s farm from a very young age.

Henry met Adrianne Peters when he was 17 years old and she was 15. He won her over with ice cream, a treat the two shared most nights through their 73 years of marriage. The couple married on October 15, 1950, and together raised four children. They lived in Chandler for much of that time, before moving to Sioux Falls  in 2010, following a life-changing automobile accident. 

Henry was a hard worker his entire life. After working on his family’s farm for many years, he and Adrianne moved into the town of Chandler, where they purchased the grocery store. The couple owned and operated De Kruif’s “V” Store for more than 25 years. After selling the store, Henry worked for Huisken Meats for six years. During this time, he also enjoyed driving the school bus for the local district and was mayor of Chandler for 20+ years. As mayor, he led the community in 1992 after an F5 tornado caused catastrophic damage to the town. He was respected so much that eventually he had to take out an ad in the Edgerton Enterprise asking residents to NOT vote for him as mayor, because in the last years he served he didn’t file for re-election, but was instead a write-in candidate. In his retirement, he was the janitor and groundskeeper of Chandler Christian Reformed Church. He had a true servant’s heart.

A man of unwavering faith, Henry not only lived a Christian life, but spoke of it often. He and Adrianne joined in morning devotions and read the Bible daily. He was kind, humble, and had a dry sense of humor; a forever optimist. He enjoyed bowling, gardening, and listening to the Minnesota Twins on the radio. He volunteered for the Chandler Fire Department and had the privilege to teach many of his grandchildren how to drive… when they were only 12 years old. A memory they speak of fondly.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Adrianne; children, Gene De Kruif and his wife, Barb of Denver, Colo., Barbara Bootsma of Sioux Center, Iowa, Marla Pluim and her husband, Mark of Sioux City, Iowa, and Kimberly Wassink and her husband, Lance of Sioux Falls; 13 grandchildren; many dear great-grandchildren; sisters, Evelyn Runia of Marshall, Minn., and Faye (Arnold) De Kam of Springfield, Mo.; and numerous relatives and friends.

Henry was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Jen Eernissee, Elsie Vande Voort, Marie Vander Top, Wilamene Schoolmeester, Grace Vande Brake, and Jo De Groot; brothers, William “Bill” De Kruif and John De Kruif, and son-in-law, Harlan Bootsma.