Karl W. Heyenga

Karl W. Heyenga, 94, of Allison, passed away Saturday, February 10, 2024, at the Waverly Health Center. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Thursday, February 15, 2024, at Woodley Funeral Home in Allison. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, February 16, 2024, at Trinity Reformed Church in Allison. Karl will be laid to rest at the Allison Cemetery. Woodley Funeral Home of Allison is caring for Karl and his family. Memorials may be directed to the family. Karl was born May 19, 1929, north of Parkersburg in Butler County, Iowa, to Ed and Jennie Heyenga. He moved to Allison at an early age and graduated from Allison High School in 1947. Karl married Joyce Harms on September 12, 1948, in Allison. He worked for the Butler County Rural Electric Cooperative (REC) for 52 years as a lineman, foreman, superintendent and ended his career as operations manager. He served a term as president of the Iowa Association of Line Superintendents. He taught Red Cross first aid and safety for 45 years to hundreds of Butler County residents and taught civil defense during the 1960s missile crisis. He helped form the Allison ambulance service and was the chairman of the Butler County Fair first aid booth for 32 years. Karl’s love of sports included 21 years as an announcer and timer for the Allison-Bristow Community School district where he also served as president of the athletic booster club. He helped form the Allison bowling league and served as president for many years. Baseball was his greatest passion and his pitching success led to him being offered a professional contract right out of high school with the White Sox organization. He played for several amateur and semi-pro teams but it was his time spent with the Allison Cats that was most important to him. He helped the Cats win the Iowa State Amateur Baseball Championship in 1950, 1951 and 1953 and participated in the National Baseball Congress Tournament in South Dakota. His commitment showed as he spent over 50 years as either a player, director or manager with the Allison Cats. He was elected to Allison-Bristow Athletic Hall of Fame, the Butler County Hall of Fame and the Sports Hall of Fame. In later years, Karl transferred that same passion to golf winning the 1988 Clarksville Club Championship as well as multiple tournaments around the area. He could be found on most days (in good weather and bad) on the course. Karl’s greatest joy was spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a charter member of the Allison Trinity Reformed Church. Karl is survived by his children, William Heyenga of Allison, Thomas (Kris) Heyenga of Cedar Falls, Matthew (Sheryl) Heyenga of Allison, Lisa (Ron) Russell of Parkersburg; grandchildren, Sara (Trey) McVae of Oklahoma City, Lindsey (Kendrick) Renken of Aplington, Carly (Alex) Pollock of Parkersburg, Emily Russell of Des Moines, Beau Heyenga of Waterloo; and many great- and great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce Heyenga; his parents; brothers Edwin (Ethel) Heyenga, John (Ruth) Heyenga; sisters Frieda (Vern) Christensen, Lydia (John) Henning, Caroline (Erv) Wix, Joselene (Russell) Smith, Grace Heyenga, Esther (Robert) Klunder, and Harriet (Robert) Freesemann.

Tributes

Karl W. Heyenga

May 19, 1929 - February 10, 2024