In Memory of Alan Kruthoff

Alan Kruthoff, age 83, of Ames, Iowa (formerly of Lake View, Iowa) passed away peacefully on December 11, 2025, at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames, Iowa.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 19, 2025, at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Lake View, Iowa. Rev. Donald E. Peterson III will officiate. A Private Committal Service will be held prior to the Funeral Service in the Wall Lake Cemetery of Wall Lake, Iowa.

A Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Lake View, Iowa.

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Homes of Odebolt and Ida Grove, Iowa, are in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com       

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Lake View, Iowa or the Black Hawk Lake Protective Association, Lake View, Iowa.

Alan was born on May 5, 1942, to Harold and Wilma (Buse) Kruthoff and grew up in the rural Auburn, Iowa, area. He attended country school and graduated from Lake View–Auburn High School in 1960.

After high school, Alan attended Buena Vista University in Storm Lake before transferring to the University of Minnesota, where he graduated in 1963 with a degree in Mortuary Science. Alan spent more than 40 years in the funeral industry. He owned the Egyptian Burial Vault Company in Lake View, Iowa and served many years as a funeral director. He found deep fulfillment in serving families throughout Sac County during their times of loss.

When Alan married Peggy Hunter in September 1963, they welcomed two children, Bret and Jodi. In February 1984, Alan married Barb (Massee) Berry, who brought two children, Shelly and Nick, into his life. Alan and Barb made their home in Lake View for many years, where they loved being part of the community.

Alan believed strongly in giving back. He served on the Lake View–Auburn School Board, the Lake View City Council, and the board of the Black Hawk Lake Protective Association. Living on Black Hawk Lake brought him great joy—he loved watching wildlife, boating, and fishing. Above all, Alan cherished time with his family and took immense pride in the accomplishments of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Alan will be remembered for his kind smile and infectious laugh. 

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 41 years, Barb Kruthoff of Ames, IA; his children Bret (Paula) Kruthoff of Charles City, IA, Jodi (Roger) Pieken of Lake View, IA, Shelly (Jade) Pospeshil of Johnston, IA and Nick (Corinn) Berry of Huxley, IA; his grandchildren Christopher (Kelsey) Kruthoff, Bryson (Emily) Kruthoff, Tyler (Jess) Pieken, Abbey (JD) Schimmelpfennig, Hunter (Mary) Pieken, Kennedy (Cameron) Wernimont, Mason and Maddison Pospeshil, and Collins, Colton, and Bowen Berry; and his great-grandchildren William Kruthoff, Haelyn, Bryar, and Melody Pieken, Knox and Wrenley Wernimont, and Johnny Pieken. He is also survived by his siblings Twila (Bob) Cleveland, Betty (Jim) Andreson, and Larry (Linda) Kruthoff; his brother-in-law Chuck Massee; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Alan was preceded in death by his parents Harold and Wilma Kruthoff; parents-in-law Robert and Bev Massee; sister-in-law Sue Kruthoff; and niece Toni Shea.