VAN AARTSEN, Bernard 1926-2016

VAN AARTSEN, ROELOFS, BEYENHOF

Posted By: K.L. Kittleson
Date: 11/11/2016 at 11:40:00

Bernard "Bernie" Van Aartsen

April 7, 1926 - September 30, 2016

Rock Rapids, Iowa -- Bernard “Bernie” Van Aartsen, age 90, of Rock Rapids, died on Friday, September 30, 2016 at Prairie Ridge Care Center in Orange City, IA.

Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Tuesday, October 4, 2016 at First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids, IA, with Rev. Donald Baker officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in Rock Rapids.

Visitation will be Monday, October 3rd from 2:00 to 7:30 PM, with family present from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids.

Bernard “Bernie” was born April 7, 1926 at Hawarden, Iowa, the son of Henry and Jenny (Roelofs) Van Aartsen. When he was a boy, his family lived on farms near Lebanon, Sioux Center, Middleburg, Matlock, and Hull, before they moved to a farm south of Rock Rapids in 1942. He attended school in Matlock and Hull.

Bernard was united in marriage to Tillie Beyenhof on December 12, 1947 at First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids, IA. Three children were born to this union; Douglas, Sandra, and later Scott. In 1951 Bernie and Tillie moved to Luverne, MN and later moved to Hardwick, MN in 1958, having farmed near both communities. In 1960, Bernie, along with farming, began transporting eggs for M & J.R. Hakes and later for Safeway Food Stores throughout the region. In 1963, the family moved to a farm southwest of Rock Rapids. He also worked as a Crop Insurance Adjuster for 20 plus years.

In 1973, Bernie purchased an apartment complex and managed that for several years. Bernie and Tillie retired from farming in 1994 and moved to a home in Rock Rapids next to the apartment building. In August of 2012 Bernie’s wife Tillie died after almost 65 years of marriage. Bernie remained living in their home in Rock Rapids until 2015 when he entered Prairie Ridge Care Center in Orange City, IA.

Bernie was a member of the First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids, was active as an Elder, taught Catechism, and sang with the church choir. He also sang with the Sheldon Chordmasters Barbershop Chorus for a few years. He enjoyed fishing and classic cars. Most of all, Bernie’s family; wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brothers and sisters remained the center his world. His family will remember Bernie as a strong, faithful, loving man of God.

He is survived by three children, Douglas Van Aartsen, and his wife Sharon of Ireton, IA, Sandra and her husband Lee Van Veldhuizen of Sioux Center, IA and Scott Van Aartsen and his wife Allison of Rock Rapids, IA; nine grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; two brothers, John Van Aartsen and his wife Ruth of Rock Rapids, IA and Henry Van Aartsen and his wife Marlys, of Orange City, IA; one sister, Jane Albers of Rock Rapids, IA; one sister-in-law, Mary Ann Van Aartsen of Luverne, MN; and many nieces, nephews and other extended family.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Tillie A. Van Aartsen; an infant brother; one sister, Hermina Boote; one brother, Gerrit Van Aartsen; and three brothers-in-law: John Boote, Leonard Lens, and Marvin Albers.

Source: Jurrens Funeral Home