1922
John
2017
John Erkel
November 25, 1922 — March 23, 2017
A memorial service for John Henry Van Erkel will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, March 27, 2017 at the Hollandale Reformed Church. The Reverend Neil Ooms will officiate. Visitation will take place from 5 – 7 PM on Sunday, March 26, 2017 at Bonnerup Funeral Service, Albert Lea, as well as one hour prior to the church service on Monday. Interment will be at the Hollandale Cemetery following the service.
John Henry passed away on Thursday, March 23, 2017 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester. He was 94 years old.
John Henry Van Erkel was born on November 25, 1922 in Mitchellville, IA to Peter E. and Sophia (Van Aalst) Van Erkel. From Iowa, the family moved to Hollandale, MN when Henry was two. They moved to Holland in the late 1920's and stayed there until all U.S. citizens were ordered to leave Holland. In 1937 the family moved back to Hollandale, MN, where Henry has been a resident ever since.
On October 16, 1953, Henry was united in marriage to Ans (Welten), in Hollandale. To this union, the couple was blessed with two children. Henry raised his family on a farm outside of Hollandale, where he grew many vegetables including asparagus, cabbage, sugar beets, potatoes, onions, carrots and others. He gave many farm tours throughout his life to his family, friends and strangers. When Henry was not farming, he enjoyed fishing and hunting. Ans and Henk enjoyed traveling all over the world. Henry was a member of Hollandale Reformed Church. He was also a member of the Hollandale Marketing Association and the Minnesota Seed Potato Growers Association. Henry was self-motivated, and took great pride in all he did. He had a passion for learning, and always looked to research new things. Henry can be described as a friendly man with a great sense of humor, an enduring love of farming and an even greater love for his family.
Henry was preceded in death by his sister, Betty (Emery) Verdoorn. He will be sorely missed by all his friends, family and special friend, Kent Slegh.
Henry is survived by his wife of 63 years, Ans, of Hollandale; children, Helmy (Brad) Tennis of Baraboo, WI, and Peter (Teri) Van Erkel of Hollandale; grandchildren, Peter (Jessica) Tennis of Wisconsin Dells, WI, Annemieke Tennis of New Orleans, LA, Jon (Nicki) Van Erkel of Hollandale, Heidi (Kyle) Anderson of Albert Lea, and Annalise Van Erkel of Hollandale; great-grandchildren, Jayce, Knox, Bode, and Trey; as well as many extended relatives and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Hollandale Reformed Church, Hollandale Christian School, or donor's choice.
John Henry passed away on Thursday, March 23, 2017 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester. He was 94 years old.
John Henry Van Erkel was born on November 25, 1922 in Mitchellville, IA to Peter E. and Sophia (Van Aalst) Van Erkel. From Iowa, the family moved to Hollandale, MN when Henry was two. They moved to Holland in the late 1920's and stayed there until all U.S. citizens were ordered to leave Holland. In 1937 the family moved back to Hollandale, MN, where Henry has been a resident ever since.
On October 16, 1953, Henry was united in marriage to Ans (Welten), in Hollandale. To this union, the couple was blessed with two children. Henry raised his family on a farm outside of Hollandale, where he grew many vegetables including asparagus, cabbage, sugar beets, potatoes, onions, carrots and others. He gave many farm tours throughout his life to his family, friends and strangers. When Henry was not farming, he enjoyed fishing and hunting. Ans and Henk enjoyed traveling all over the world. Henry was a member of Hollandale Reformed Church. He was also a member of the Hollandale Marketing Association and the Minnesota Seed Potato Growers Association. Henry was self-motivated, and took great pride in all he did. He had a passion for learning, and always looked to research new things. Henry can be described as a friendly man with a great sense of humor, an enduring love of farming and an even greater love for his family.
Henry was preceded in death by his sister, Betty (Emery) Verdoorn. He will be sorely missed by all his friends, family and special friend, Kent Slegh.
Henry is survived by his wife of 63 years, Ans, of Hollandale; children, Helmy (Brad) Tennis of Baraboo, WI, and Peter (Teri) Van Erkel of Hollandale; grandchildren, Peter (Jessica) Tennis of Wisconsin Dells, WI, Annemieke Tennis of New Orleans, LA, Jon (Nicki) Van Erkel of Hollandale, Heidi (Kyle) Anderson of Albert Lea, and Annalise Van Erkel of Hollandale; great-grandchildren, Jayce, Knox, Bode, and Trey; as well as many extended relatives and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Hollandale Reformed Church, Hollandale Christian School, or donor's choice.
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