Donald J. Van Nieuwenhuizen

DONALD JAMES VAN NIEUWENHUIZEN was born on April 22, 1930 to Jilles and Margie (De Boer) Van Nieuwenhuizen on a farm northwest of Edgerton, Minnesota. The family moved to California and Don attended and graduated from Ripon Christian School. He returned to Leota, Minnesota and worked as a hired man for farmers and later Ted Pool Construction. He entered the United States Army in November 1951 and served in the Korean War as a tank driver until receiving his honorable discharge in August 1953. On October 27, 1955 Don was united in marriage to Lorraine Verbrugge at the Christian Reformed Church in Leota, Minnesota. Their marriage was blessed with two children. The family lived in Edgerton, Minnesota for over a year and then moved to Luverne, Minnesota in 1957 where Don did construction work for four years. He then became employed at Pat’s Plumbing and continued there until 1985, when the business closed. Don started his own plumbing business and formally retired in September 2004. Following his retirement, Don enjoyed being in his shop and working on his recycling projects. He also kept busy by attending auctions. Following heart surgery in December of 2012, Don entered the Good Samaritan Society – Mary Jane Brown Home in Luverne on April 4, 2013 to help with his rehabilitation. On Monday, April 15, 2013 Don went to be with his Lord at the age of 82 years, 11 months and 23 days.

Don enjoyed nature, camping, wildlife, gardening, canoeing and spending time at Rock River. He loved helping his son with any building project or working with the pigs. He was a member of the Luverne Christian Reformed Church where he served on the building and maintenance committee for many years. He was also a member of the American Legion. During his lifetime, Don built three homes for his family, and two homes for his son and daughter-in-law, of which he was very proud.

Don is lovingly remembered by his wife, Lorraine; son, Randy and his wife Sara of Luverne; four sisters, Annabelle and her husband Leroy Cunningham of Manteca, California, Betty Van Weerdhuizen of Escalon, California, Marge and her husband Marvin Horstman of Springfield, Missouri, Wilma and her husband Dennis Jarding of the Dalles, Oregon; nieces and nephews; and other family. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Darla Joy in 1991; parents; three brothers, J.R., John and Leroy Van Nieuwenhuizen; and a brother-in-law, George Van Weerdhuizen.