Bruce M. Van Kooten

MORRISON – Bruce M. Van Kooten, 84, of 408 E. Park St., Morrison, died Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012, at Pleasant View Nursing Home in Morrison.

He was co-owner of Bernhardy’s Garage in Morrison, then was an agent for Prudential Insurance Co. for 30 years before retiring in 1986.

He was born Feb. 15, 1927, in Prairie View, Kan., the son of Edward and Margaret (Woltman) Van Kooten. He married Coretta C. Bielema on Feb. 17, 1950, in Fulton. Bruce was a veteran of the Army, serving during World War II. He was a member of Morrison Christian Reformed Church.

Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Sara (Dave) Vanderkleed of Lafayette, Ind., and Melinda (Rod) Damhoff of Morrison; one son, Monte Van Kooten of Sterling; one son-in-law, Darrell Busch of Yorkville; and one daughter-in-law, Karen Van Kooten-Oostenryk of Morrison; two sisters, Alma Anema of Grand Junction, Colo., and Agnes Bernhardy of Albuquerque, N.M.; one brother, Paul (Charlene) Van Kooten of Grand Rapids, Mich.; 15 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother; one daughter, Cindy Busch; one son, Rod Van Kooten; and one sister, Bernice Rus.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home in Morrison.

The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Morrison Christian Reformed Church, with the Rev. Philip Stel, pastor of First Christian Reformed Church in Fulton, officiating.

Interment with military honors will be at Grove Hill Cemetery in Morrison.

Memorials contributions may be directed to Hospice of the Rock River Valley and United Christian School in Fulton.