Berkenpas, Donald 1919-2002

BERKENPAS, TAMMENGA, FRENCH

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/14/2007 at 11:11:44

LE MARS, Iowa -- Donald Berkenpas, 83, of Le Mars, died suddenly Friday, July 19, 2002, at Floyd Valley Hospital in Le Mars.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at First United Methodist Church in Le Mars with the Rev. Tom Shinkle officiating. Burial with military honors conducted by the American Legion Wasmer Post 241 of Le Mars will be in Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be after 2 p.m. Monday, with family present 6 to 8:30 p.m., and a prayer service at 7:30 p.m., all at Carlsen Funeral Home in Le Mars.

Mr. Berkenpas was born Feb. 16, 1919, on a farm near Bemus, S.D., the son of Henry and Anna (Tammenga) Berkenpas. At the age of four, the family moved to a farm near Le Mars. He received his education at a country school in Marion Township, rural Plymouth County. He served his country during World War II, receiving a Bronze Star for his heroic measures at the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium's Ardennes Forest. He entered into active duty on March 24, 1942, at Fort Des Moines, Iowa, serving in the U.S. Army, 90th Infantry Division, and served as a first cook. He entered the European war front, D-2, on June 7, 1944, at Normandy, France. He attained the rank of Tech 4 prior to his honorable discharge on Oct. 18, 1945.

Following his discharge, he married Darlene French on Dec. 5, 1945. The couple moved to a farm north of Le Mars and farmed there for the next 56 years. They retired in 1989 and remained living on the farm.

He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Le Mars and the American Legion Wasmer Post 241. During his retirement years, he raised ponies and was an avid gardener and cook.

Survivors include his wife; two sons and their wives, Delbert "Del" and Cindy Berkenpas and Darwin "Hank" and Alaska Berkenpas, all of Le Mars; two daughters and their husbands, the Rev. Darlis Berkenpas and Boyd Bristow of Sioux Falls, Denise and Gerald DeVries of Orange City, Iowa; two brothers, Harold Berkenpas of Colorado, Darrell and his wife, Lorraine Berkenpas of Le Mars; a sister, Gertrude Zoerink of Le Mars; seven grandchildren, Brian Berkenpas, Brenda Corso, Gwen Berkenpas, Emily DeVries, Kent DeVries, Andrea Berkenpas and Ashley Berkenpas; five great-grandchildren, Cody Berkenpas, Kali Berkenpas, Taylor Deegan, Keaton Alexander, and Hunter Berkenpas; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Richard, Sidney, Leonard and Gilbert Berkenpas; and a sister, Esther Faber.

Pallbearers will be Dennis Zoerink, Alden Berkenpas, Jeff Berkenpas, Merlin Berkenpas and Kent DeVries. Honorary pallbearers will be Harold Albert, Earl Albert, Dave Albert, George Laughton, Earl Buss and Herman Schulz.

[Part of the Darrell Easton Obituary Collection; source:Sioux City Journal]