E. Max Van Gorp 1921-2005
SWAN, VAN GORP, DAVIS, MUMM, HARVEY, JOHNSON, HULME
Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 12/23/2007 at 14:43:01
E. Max Van Gorp
E. Max Van Gorp died Tuesday, February 8, 2005, at the Good Samaritan Center in Waukon at the age of 83 years. Memorial services were held Saturday, February 12, at Fjelstul Funeral Home, Decorah, with Rev. Anita Bane officiating. Inurement was in Freeport Cemetery, Freeport, Iowa. Full military honors were by Helof-Holm VFW Post No. 1977, Bernatz-Symonds American Legion Post No. 163, and D.A.V. Hamre-Giesen Chapter No. 8.
E. Max Van Gorp was born September 16, 1921, at home in Lynnville, Iowa, the son of George and Cora (Swan) Van Gorp. He was educated in Lynnville Schools. Following school, Max stayed home to help work his family’s farm. Later he and his family moved to Traer where they continued farming.
Max was united in marriage to Florence M. Davis on October 17, 1942, in the Pastor’s home in Kirksville, Mo. To this union, four children were born, Pat, Mike, Bob, and Linda.
Following their marriage, Max and Florence continued to farm in the Traer area. After his military service, Max went back to farming. He also worked for Early Construction in Traer. The family moved to north of Highlandville, Iowa, in 1956, where they farmed and Max worked for Holland Brothers Construction. In 1960, the family came to Decorah. He started working for Curt Nordheim and later started his own grading and excavation business, Van Gorp Construction. Max operated the business from 1969 until he sold his interest in 1981. He finished his career working for Downing Construction until his retirement.
Max was a World War II Navy veteran and served from May 4, 1944, to February 25, 1946. During his 21-month tour of duty, he served overseas for 18 months and participated in the invasion of Leyte, Philippines, on October 20, 1944, the invasion of Luzon on January 9, 1945, two minor invasions in Ryuku Islands on March 26, 1945, and the invasion of Okinawa on April 1, 1945.
Max was a member of the Masonic Lodge for over 50 years. He loved to go fishing and enjoyed playing cards.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Lloyd and Lowell Van Gorp; and a sister, Loretta Mumm.
Survivors include his wife Florence; his four children, Pat Harvey of Mabel, Minn., Mike (Nina) Van Gorp of Waukon, Bob (Wendy) Van Gorp of Cedar Falls, Iowa, and Linda (Dennis) Johnson of Eldridge, Iowa; 11 grandchildren, Melissa (Darin) Johnston, Jennifer Harvey, Erin Harvey, Erika Harvey, Scott (Heather) Van Gorp, Bridget (Rick) Ronan, Bill Van Gorp, Sarah Van Gorp, Jason Van Gorp, Troy Johnson, and Kelly Johnson; six great-grandchildren, DaeHan Harvey, Dalton Harvey, Gabrielle Johnston, Faith Johnston, Matthew Ronan, and John Ronan; and a sister, Lola Hulme of Traer.
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