Van Oort, Bernard 1934-2015

VANOORT, OLDENKAMP, ALBECK

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 10/6/2015 at 09:32:08

Bernard (Bernie) J. Van Oort, 80, of Le Mars, Iowa passed away Sunday, February 1, 2015 at Floyd Valley Hospital surrounded by his family after a lengthy illness.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday, February 5, 2015 at Le Mars United Methodist Church in Le Mars, Iowa with Pastor John Battern officiating. Inurnment will be at Resthaven Memory Gardens Cemetery in Le Mars at a later date. Visitation with the family present to greet friends will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 pm, Wednesday, February 4, 2015 at the Carlsen Funeral Home in Le Mars. Visitation will continue Thursday morning at the church from 10 a.m. until service time.

Honorary pall bearers will be his grandchildren; Jim Van Oort, Matt Van Oort, Mike Van Oort, Joe Van Oort, Heather Morrison Taylor, Mark Van Oort, Shaun Van Oort, Michelle Cobb, Holly Curtis, David Van Oort, Morgan Dolph and Kyle Dolph.

Bernard John Van Oort was born August 16, 1934 in Sheldon, Iowa to Wein and Gertrude (Oldenkamp) Van Oort. He received his education in Sheldon, Iowa and graduated in May 1952. Bernie enlisted in the Navy upon graduation, serving from May 1952 to August 1955. He served aboard the aircraft carrier, USS Cabot, until June 1953. Bernie and Kay Albeck were united in marriage on August 8, 1953 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sheldon, Iowa. The couple lived in Toms River, New Jersey following their marriage. Bernie was then stationed at Lakehurst, NJ Naval Air Station until his discharge in 1955. In 2000 Bernie and Kay made their home in Le Mars, Iowa. Bernie spent much of his adult life as a salesman. He was last employed at O'Reilly Auto Parts, in Le Mars, Iowa until his retirement in May 2013.

Bernie and Kay enjoyed spending time in their RV, splitting their time between Texas and Iowa. He also enjoyed playing Jokers and Dominoes with family and friends. He was an avid sports fan, especially the Iowa Hawkeyes and Texas A & M Aggies.

His greatest joy in life was family; he enjoyed having his children and grandchildren coming over to visit. Bernie was a member of the United Methodist Church of Le Mars.

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Kay of Le Mars; three children: a son, Bob Van Oort and his wife Mary of Colome, S.D.; a daughter, Julie Morrison and her special friend Marty Wanderscheid of Le Mars, IA; and a daughter, Lori Dolph and her special friend Doug Harms of Le Mars, IA; 15 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren; a sister, Juanita Buaiz of Sheldon, IA; a brother-in-law, Roy (Sandy) Albeck of Holiday Island, AR; a sister-in-law Ann (Frank) Haase of Glenwood, IA; a former daughter-in-law, Cindy Thorpe of Meridan, IA and several nieces, nephews and friends.

Bernie was preceded in death by his parents, Wein and Gertrude Van Oort; a son, Tom Van Oort in 2001; a sister, Annabel Kreykes; a brother, Robert Van Oort and his mother and father-in-law Alex and Bernie Albeck; brother-in-law Frank Kreykes, nephew, Frankie Warner and a son-in-law Larry Morrison.