Van Engelenhoven, Gerrit 1934-2019

VANENGELENHOVEN, BURGERS, ZEILSTRA

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:32

Gerrit Van Engelenhoven, age 84 of Sioux Center, IA died Monday, July 22, 2019 at the Holy Spirit Retirement Home in Sioux City, IA.

A Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 26, 2019 at the First Reformed Church in Sioux Center, IA with Rev. Stephen Breen officiating. Burial will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Sioux Center.

Visitation with family present will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, July 25, 2019 at the Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center.

Gerrit Van Engelenhoven was born in Alkmaai, Netherlands on August 21, 1934 to Herman and Bertha (Burgers) Van Engelenhoven. He and his family immigrated to the United States five years later. The young family moved to Hills, MN where Gerrit was raised and received his education. In May of 1954, Gerrit enlisted in the United States Army and spent his service time in Germany. He was honorably discharged in March of 1955. In May of the following year, he was united in marriage to Jennie Zeilstra in Orange City, IA. They began their lives together in Larchwood, IA and moved to Hills, MN before moving to Rock Valley, IA and eventually to Sioux Center. Three children were born to this union, Gary, Brenda and Tim.

Gerrit was employed as a mechanic most of his working career. He worked for Mikes’ Service Garage, Vos Motors and for a time, Kosters’ Manufacturing as a welder. He later opened his own garage and called it Gerrit's Service Center. Gerrit was very mechanically inclined and could fix anything.

Gerrit was the kind of fellow who would do anything for anyone. In his retirement years, he enjoyed sitting in front of his house watching the traffic go by his house and riding his mower or golf cart up and down the street. In May of 2019, Gerrit’s health began to fail to the point that he needed continuous care. He moved to the Holy Spirit Retirement Home in Sioux City where he passed away this past Monday at the age of 84. He will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his children, Gary Van Engelenhoven of Sioux Center, IA, Brenda Van Engelenhoven of Sioux Falls, SD, and Tim Van Engelenhoven of Ft. Wayne, IN; 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; brother, Herman (Sharon) Van Engelenhoven of Sioux Falls, SD; sister, Wilma Elbers of Luverne, MN; and other extended family members.

Gerrit was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Jennie; brother, Gerrit; and brother-in-law, Gilbert Elbers.

Source: Memorial Funeral Home online obituary.