Bruce Deane Meinders

August 25, 1947 - July 18, 2020

Bruce Deane Meinders, age 72, of Oskaloosa, passed away on Saturday, July 18, 2020 at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. Bruce was born on August 25, 1947 in Oskaloosa, Iowa, the son of Bernard and Dorothy (Van Engelenhoven) Meinders. He attended Oskaloosa Christian Grade School and later went to Pella Christian High School and graduated with the Class of 1965. On November 27, 1970 he was united in marriage to Arlene Vande Kieft in Cedar, Iowa. To this union 3 children were born, Laurie, Brian and Brad. Following his marriage to Arlene, he operated a dairy farm for several years with his brother-in-law, Moe VanDe Kieft. Later, he and Arlene owned their own dairy farm southeast of Oskaloosa. While Bruce was still dairy farming, he began doing other custom farm work. He owned and operated Leighton Ag. Center with his son Brian from 2003 to 2009. In 2008 Bruce and Arlene moved to town and Bruce continued doing custom farm work until 2015. He took great pride in his work and was known for his insistence of John Deere equipment and a love for his red pick-up trucks. He had a strong work ethic that he passed down to his children. In between his time of dairy farming and custom work, Bruce developed a love for trucking which eventually became one of his biggest joys in life. He continued trucking until ill health caused him to retire. Bruce was a member of the First Christian Reformed Church in Oskaloosa and had a love for gospel music. He served as an Elder, Deacon, Youth Leader and Cadet Leader. He loved his grandchildren and enjoyed teasing them. During the last 3 years of ill health, Bruce felt comfort from his dog, Maggie. Bruce was such a big presence to many, and he will leave a big void. Bruce is survived by his wife, Arlene Meinders of Oskaloosa, his children, Laurie (Richard) Webby, Brian Meinders and Brad (Melanie) Meinders; his grandchildren, Hannah Twit, Grace Webby, Claire Webby, Taeler Lanser, Tristen (Clay) Stravers, Sawyer Meinders, Blake Meinders, Braden Meinders, Morgan Meinders, Brock Meinders, Maisy Meinders, and Beckett Meinders; a brother, Bernard “Junior” (Carolyn) Meinders; his brothers-in-law, Moe (Krista) VanDe Kieft, Pete Fynaardt and Ron Vande Kieft and a sister-in-law, Marilou (Bruce) Schiebout. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Bernard and Dorothy Meinders; a sister, Ruth VanDe Kieft, his mother and father-in-law, Marion and JoAnn Vande Kieft and a sister-in-law, Joann Fynaardt. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 22, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. in the First Christian Reformed Church in Oskaloosa with Pastor Jonathon Spronk officiating. There will be a family prayer service at 10:15 Wednesday morning in the church basement. Burial will be in Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa. According to the rules put in place by the Iowa Department of Public Health, proper social distancing and reasonable personal protective equipment is advised for attending a religious public event. The funeral service will be live streamed at the funeral home’s YouTube Channel for those wishing to support the family from a distance. Visitation will begin Tuesday after 12:00 p.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel. The family will be at the funeral home on Tuesday evening from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to the Oskaloosa Christian Grade School.