Alvin H. Visscher 1944-2020

VISSCHER, BOS, VAN ZEE, BORGER, DYKMAN, SEVERSON, TOBIN

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 6/12/2021 at 21:05:24

Services for Alvin H. Visscher, age 76, of Paullina who passed away on Saturday, March 28, 2020 at Orange City Area Health from complications of amyloidosis. A private family service will be held on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 at Oakdale Evangelical Free Church, rural Meriden with Pastor Tyler Stauffer ~ officiating. The service will be live streamed at https://www.oakdalechurch.com/ starting at 11 A.M.

Private family burial will be at Prairie View Cemetery in Paullina.There will be no visitation. Due to state and federal guidance on gathering due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the family will not be having a public memorial at this time.

The Visscher family appreciates your love and support during this time. On-line condolences are encouraged at www.eldridgefamilyfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements are under the care of the Eldridge Family Funeral Home in Paullina.

Alvin Henry Visscher, born to William and Jennie (Bos) Visscher on February 20, 1944, grew up on a farm near Platte, South Dakota. Family, church, school, and work served as building blocks during his youth and throughout his life. County, public, and Christian schools and colleges were part of those blocks that helped prepare Al for life’s vocations.

On May 6, 1966, Al was united in marriage to Elaine Van Zee at the New Holland Christian Reformed Church in New Holland, South Dakota. They were blessed with two sons, Todd and Troy.
n 1969, Al and Elaine moved to Paullina, Iowa, where Al taught 5th grade at the Paullina Community School District for nine years. After building a home for his family, Al left education and founded Visscher Construction. For nineteen years he served his community as a local contractor, remodeling and constructing homes, pole buildings, and hog confinements in the Paullina area, as well as fitting in some remodel work for his children and their families.

In December, 1997, Al and Elaine moved to Sheldon, Iowa, and for the next ten years managed the Christian Retirement Home. In that capacity, Al not only presided over the home’s business and maintenance, but he also ministered to the residents’ physical and spiritual needs. Residents especially enjoyed having Al play his guitar and sing with them.
Al’s motorcycle riding gave him the opportunity to share the gospel through the Christian Motorcycle Association. He enjoyed short term mission trips to New Orleans, Guatemala, and Mexico where he used his construction skills. For many years on Saturday nights, Al enjoyed leading services at the Gospel Mission in Sioux City. He served his church as a teacher and leader in many areas, as well as by singing in the choir and in a quartet.

Al relished spending time with his grandchildren by reading to them, playing guitar and singing with them, telling stories, golfing, pheasant hunting, and attending their activities.

After being diagnosed with amyloidosis, Al and Elaine retired in 2007, moving back to their family home in Paullina. While battling a difficult disease, Al continued to be thankful for the Lord’s love, kindness, patience, and the extra years that God graciously gifted him. In his own writing, Al professed, “The Lord was gracious to me in every area of my life for which I am eternally grateful.”

Left to cherish his memories are his wife of 53 years, Elaine.
Children: Todd (Julianne) Visscher of Hull, Iowa, and their children Eric and Elise
Troy (Andrea) Visscher of Milford, Iowa and their children Scott, Peter, and Lydia
Brother: Gordon (Betty) Visscher of Mitchell, South Dakota
Sisters: Marilyn Borger of Denver, Colorado
Karen Dykman of Manhattan, Montana
Charlene (Dale) Severson of Platte, South Dakota
In-Laws: Garry (Gloria) Van Zee of Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Harriet (John) Tobin of Naples, Florida
Jerome (Betty) Van Zee of Rapid City, South Dakota
Alvin (Cheryle) Van Zee of Corsica, South Dakota
Ron (Linda) Van Zee of Omaha, Nebraska
Many other nieces, nephews, and friends

Preceding Al in death were his parents, William and Jennie Visscher, Elaine’s parents, Albert and Florence Van Zee, and two brothers-in-law Gary Dykman and Bennett Borger.

From Eldridge Funeral Hone