Bastiaan "Bud" Van Eck

BASTIAAN 'BUD' VAN ECK was born to Bastiaan and Annie (Van’t Hof) Van Eck on April 27, 1938 at the hospital in Tyler, Minnesota. He was raised on the family farm located north of Lake Wilson, Minnesota, in Ellsborough Township, Murray County. Bud received his education through the eighth grade. Following his education, Bud’s father lined him up to work for various farmers in the area. Throughout his childhood, Bud attended church at Chandler Christian Reformed Church in Chandler, Minnesota, where he was baptized and professed his faith. In Chandler he met his future wife, Janice “Jan” Rylaarsdam and on October 13, 1960 the couple was united in marriage at Chandler Reformed Church. The couple then began their life together, living in various places during their early years. Bud worked for Doppenberg Dairy located on the edge of Brandon, South Dakota and later worked construction in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. In 1968, they made their home in Luverne, Minnesota. At this time Bud went to work as a meat processor in the hide cellar for Iowa Beef Processors. He and Jan also became members of the Luverne Christian Reformed Church where he served several years on the building and maintenance committee and helped with the Cadet campouts.

After several years, Bud went to work for Virgil Christiansen Construction as a laborer. He then went to work for Land-O-Lakes until he became disabled in 1979. Just prior to his disability, Bud and Jan gave birth to their daughter, Becky. Bud was a proud father and enjoyed raising their daughter - teaching her life lessons, being a firm parent when he needed, but also remaining her best friend.

Bud loved his time on the farm and kept in touch by being on the land or riding in equipment whenever an opportunity presented itself. He also loved spending time at Lake Shetek. Often he and his family would leave for the lake as early as they could at the end of the work week and be the last ones to leave the lake to return home at the end of the weekend. As a faithful member of church, if he was at the lake, he would attend the Lake Sarah Baptist Church.

During his earlier years, Bud enjoyed listening to polka and country music and was known for playing the spoons. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing and working with wood and leather. He loved to jump on his zero-turn lawnmower. Along the years he became an avid gardener and enjoyed particularly daylilies, hostas and tulips. He loved being in the garage tinkering and fixing anything possible, which might have had something to do with him becoming a “Mr. Fix It”. Later in life, Bud was also blessed with a granddaughter, Brandy, with who he loved and cherished their time spent together. His family claims he could fix anything, even broken hearts. If he couldn’t fix it, it wasn’t broken. Through his life, Bud saw the value in everything. His granddaughter, Brandy was the highlight of his life and he loved being her “Papa”.

On Monday, June 30, 2014 while surrounded by his family at the Sanford Luverne Hospice Cottage, Bud won the battle at the age of 76 years, two months and three days.

Bud is lovingly remembered by his wife of 53 years, Jan; daughter, Becky (Alan) Pilaczynski of Luverne, and their daughter, Brandy; four siblings, Corky (Mary) Van Eck of Chandler, Minnesota, Nellie Ellgen of Slayton, Minnesota, Jennie (Bob) Van Roekel of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Annie (Richard) Severeid of Lafayette, Colorado; sister-in-law, Gerdena Van Eck of Pipestone, Minnesota; and other family and friends. He was preceded in death by two stillborn infants; his parents; one infant brother, Tony; two brothers, Hugo Van Eck and John Van Eck; and three sisters, Cornelia Bodewitz, Margaret Eisfeld, and Annetta Eisfeld.

In memory of Bud, please wear an orange color to his visitation!