Van Gorp, E. Max 1921-2005

VAN GORP, SWAN, DAVIS, MUMM, HARVEY, JOHNSON, JOHNSTON, RONAN, HULME

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 8/8/2012 at 12:46:36

E. Max Van Gorp, age 83 of Decorah, died on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon, IA following a long illness.

Memorial Service is at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 12, 2005, at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah by Rev. Anita Bane, with inurnment in Freeport Cemetery in rural Decorah, with full military honors.

Visitation is on Friday, February 11, 2005 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Fjelstul Funeral Home with a Masonic Memorial Service at 7:00 p.m. Friday.

E. Max Van Gorp was born September 16, 1921 at home in Lynnville, Iowa, the son of George and Cora (Swan) Van Gorp. He was educated in Lynnville Schools. Following school, Max stayed home to help work his family’s farm. Later He and his family moved to Traer where they continued farming.

Max was united in marriage to Florence M. Davis on October 17, 1942 in the Pastor’s home in Kirksville, Missouri. To this union, four children were born: Pat, Mike, Bob and Linda.

Following their marriage, Max and Florence continued to farm in the Traer area. After his military service, Max went back to farming. He also worked for Early Construction in Traer. The family moved to north of Highlandville, IA. in 1956, where they farmed and Max worked for Holland Brothers Construction. In 1960, the family came to Decorah. He started working for Curt Nordheim and later started his own grading and excavation business, Van Gorp Construction. Max operated the business from 1969 until he sold his interest in 1981. He finished his career working for Downing Construction until his retirement.

Max was a World War II Navy Veteran and served from May 4, 1944 - February 25, 1946. During his 21 month tour of duty, he served overseas for eighteen months and participated in the invasion of Leyte, Phillippines on October 20, 1944; the invasion of Luzon on January 9, 1945, two minor invasions in Ryuku Islands on March 26, 1945 and the invasion of Okinawa on April 1, 1945.

Max was a member of the Masonic Lodge for over 50 years. He loved to go fishing and enjoyed playing cards.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Lloyd and Lowell Van Gorp and a sister, Loretta Mumm.

Survivors include his wife Florence; his four children, Pat Harvey of Mabel, MN., Mike (Nina) Van Gorp of Waukon, IA., Bob (Wendy) Van Gorp of Cedar Falls, IA., Linda (Dennis) Johnson of Eldridge, IA.; eleven grandchildren, Melissa (Darin) Johnston, Jennifer Harvey, Erin Harvey, Erika Harvey, Scott (Heather) Van Gorp, Bridget (Rick) Ronan, Bill Van Gorp, Sarah Van Gorp, Jason Van Gorp, Troy Johnson, Kelly Johnson; six great-grandchildren, DaeHan Harvey, Dalton Harvey, Gabrielle Johnston, Faith Johnston, Matthew Ronan and John Ronan; and a sister, Lola Hulme of Traer, IA.

Source: Fjelstul Funeral Home database

Freeport cemetery
 

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