Obituary of Van Engen

Memorial Tribute Wilmer Lloyd Van Engen, son of Gerrit and Cora (Japenga) Van Engen was born on a farm near Archer, Iowa on March 17, 1930. He started school in the Archer Consolidated School. The family moved to a farm near Boyden where he attended a country school. In 1941 the family moved to a farm southeast of Sanborn where he attended both country school and public school, and graduated from Sanborn High School in 1948. During high school, and after graduating, he worked as a mechanic for Gorsett’s Ford Garage in Sanborn. In October of 1951 Wilmer entered the armed forces. He was stationed at Asbury Park in Maryland and Fort Monmouth, NJ. On June 4, 1952 he was united in marriage to Jacquelyne De Roos at the First Reformed Church in Sanborn. After their marriage, the couple lived in Huntsville, AL where Wilmer was stationed at Redstone Arsenal. Later they moved to Las Cruces, NM where he was stationed at the White Sands Proving Grounds. After his discharge in 1953, they moved to Sanborn and Wilmer was employed at Burns Chevrolet in Hartley, IA. In 1956 they moved to the family farm southeast of Sanborn where they farmed until 1996. They then moved into Sanborn. The couple was blessed with two children, Michael and Debra. Wilmer enjoyed being outdoors and had a great love for animals. He loved music. He sang with the Sheldon Chordmasters and several barbershop quartets. He especially enjoyed singing in a mixed quartet with his wife and her sister and husband in the Bosch ~ Van Engen Quartet. The group sang together for 40 years. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle and fishing. During the time when CB radios were popular he enjoyed chatting with his “good buddies”. Wilmer loved and cherished being with his family—his thoughts were always of them and he tenderly cared for them. He was a devoted husband and a loving father. He was kind and honest, and was never afraid to stand up for the right things. He had a strong faith and trusted his Saviour. Wilmer became a resident of Prairie View Nursing Home in Sanborn in April 2006. He passed away there on March 1, 2008 at the age of 77. He was a member of the First Reformed Church in Sanborn. There he sang in the choir, taught catechism and served as an elder. He was a member of Sanborn’s Earl T. Conaway Legion Post #318 where he once served as commander. His memory will lovingly be cherished by his wife of 55 years, Jackie; his daughter Debra and her husband Robert Templeman of Cincinnati, OH; his sister, Irene Van Beek of Sheldon, IA; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Art and Naomi Bosch of Sanborn, IA; nieces, nephews as well as other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his son Michael; one brother Gerrit; his wife’s parents; his brother-in-law, Harold Van Beek, a nephew in infancy, and a niece, Janice Petrich. In loving memory of Wilmer Van Engen Born ~ March 17, 1930 Died ~ March 1, 2008 Age ~ 77 years 11 months 14 days Memorial Service 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 4, 2008 First Reformed Church Sanborn, Iowa Officiating ~ Rev. Gary Hegstad Organist ~ Beth Vanden Hoek Processional ~ “Amazing Grace” #343 “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” (Insert) “Doxology” Recessional ~ “Blessed Assurance” #572 Pallbearers Marv Bosch Allan Gibson Mark Koerselman Gary Vanden Brink David Fedders Steve Van Beek Honorary Pallbearers Brad Bosch Kyle Koerselman David Vanden Brink Bryan Bosch Kevin Koerselman Doug Vanden Brink Chad Davis Mike Speck Lyle Fedders Sabit Ruach Dusty Schnack Jared Fedders Kelly Nieuwenhuis Ushers Ted Marra Don Kroese Jim Ver Mulm Flower Attendants Andy and Arlene Haarsma Leonard and Shirley Postma Interment Roseland Cemetery ~ Sanborn, IA (10:15 prior to the church service) Presentation of colors and flag by Earl T. Conaway Post #318