Koerselman, Byron A. 1955-2008

KOERSELMAN, VAN DE VEGTE, SCHWARZ

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 8/28/2008 at 19:49:11

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, August 28, 2008

Byron A. Koerselman, 53, of Maurice, died unexpectedly Monday, Aug. 25, 2008, while working in Le Mars.

Byron Allan Koerselman was born April 14, 1955, at Rock Rapids, the son of Benjamin and Anna Mae (Van De Vegte) Koerselman. As a young child, the family moved to Merrill, where Byron attended grade school. He graduated from Le Mars Community High School in 1974. Following high school, Byron enlisted in the United States Army, attending basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., where he was trained as a heavy equipment mechanic. After four years of service to his country, Byron transferred to the Iowa Army National Guard for the completion of his enlistment. He worked for a number of years as a mechanic for Ernie Eason in Orange City.

He later joined his father, Ben Koerselman, and learned the trade of floor covering installation. Byron worked as an independent installer for nearly 30 years.

Byron loved the outdoors. In the fall and winter months he enjoyed bow hunting and in the summer months he enjoyed camping and fishing.

Byron was united in marriage to Mary Schwarz on June 11, 1994, at Bradley, S.D. Byron and Mary made their home in Maurice for the last several years.

Survivors include his wife Mary of Maurice; three daughters from a previous marriage, April of Brookings, S.D., Tricia of Willmar, Minn., and Heidi and her daughter Tayler of Marshall, Minn; his mother, Anna Mae Koerselman of Merrill; two sisters, Sharon Niessink and her husband Robert of Anchorage, Alaska and Debra Lewis and her husband Randy of Adel; several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Byron was preceded in death by his father, Benjamin Koerselman on March 30, 2005; his father-in-law, Marvin Schwarz; and brother-in-law, Keith Schwarz.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, at the Maurice First Reformed Church in Maurice, with the Rev. Wayne Sneller officiating. Interment with military honors by the Pressman-Kosters American Legion Post #329 of Orange City will be in the Sherman Township Cemetery, Sioux County. Visitations will be after 3 p.m. today (Thursday) at the Carlsen Funeral Home in Le Mars with the family present to greet friends after 5 p.m. followed by a 7 p.m. prayer service. Visitations will continue Friday morning at the church from 9:30 a.m. until service time.

Pallbearers will be Ritch Stolpe, David Bruntz, Brad Godbersen, Doug Maskell, Robert Pierson, Clinton Fox, Robin Klemme, and Gary Hoblit.